Mark Boucher has issued an official apology for his involvement in creating a toxic and exclusionary workspace for players of colour during his stint as an international cricketer. Now head coach of South Africa, however, vowed to create a more welcoming team culture.
In an affidavit submitted to Social Justice and Nation Building (SJN) committee, Boucher also confessed to being among a group of players who used to sing songs with racial overtones in drinking ceremonies, often after series wins.
Paul Adams, who played for South Africa in the late 1990s and early 2000s, revealed that his colleagues used to call him ‘brown s***’ throughout his career.
‘I was called brown s*** when I was playing. It often used to be a song when we won a game and we were in fines’ meetings. They would sing, ‘brown s*** in the ring, tra la la la laa,’ said Adam at SJN hearings.
Boucher confessed further added that the lack of education and briefings on dealing with the ‘legacy of apartheids’ only worsened the problem.
The Social Justice and Nation Building (SJN) project was launched by Cricket South Africa in 2020. Eminent anti-apartheid activist Dumisa Ntsebeza, was named as ombudsman, while nine former players, including Makhaya Ntini and Gary Kirsten, serve as the ambassadors.
Several other players have come forward to share their experiences of mistreatment and discrimination in the South African camp. As per SJN programme, a restoration fund has been set up to offer reparation to discrimination victims.