17 April 2015-- Bafana Bafana head coach Ephraim ‘Shakes’ Mashaba has joined millions of people across South Africa that have condemned the recent spate of xenophobic attack currently sweeping the country.
Speaking on behalf of all the national football team coaches, Mashaba said a person’s origins should not be the basis of discrimination.
Here is Bafana Bafana coach’s Full Statement:
My name is Ephraim Shakes Mashaba, the head coach of Bafana Bafana, and employee of the South African Football Association (SAFA). First of all, I on behalf of all national team coaches would like to say A BIG NO TO XENOPHOBIC VIOLENCE.
Speaking on behalf of all the national football team coaches, Mashaba said a person’s origins should not be the basis of discrimination.
Here is Bafana Bafana coach’s Full Statement:
My name is Ephraim Shakes Mashaba, the head coach of Bafana Bafana, and employee of the South African Football Association (SAFA). First of all, I on behalf of all national team coaches would like to say A BIG NO TO XENOPHOBIC VIOLENCE.
It is something completely wrong and unacceptable. Bafana Bafana, Banyana Banyana, and all the South African Junior and other National Teams condemn such actions unequivocally. We can’t say to people because you don’t come from this country, then you are inferior and unwelcome; the bottom line is we are all Africans, and we need to understand that.
When our parents were growing up, their desire was to belong to a free Africa in which South Africa was part of. Now that we have democracy, we cannot say South Africa is only us. We live in a global village these days.
Let us refrain from abusing our fellow brothers and sisters who are in this country. They are not here because they are lost; they came here because they said they were coming to their fellow brothers and sisters.
Let us embrace them and live together as one united family. On behalf of all national teams, I condemn the barbaric acts being perpetuated by a few individual.
The late former state President Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela once said: “Never, and never again will there be one person having an edge over another person.”
What is happening now is taking several steps backwards because we have gone against Madiba’s teachings. The late Tata wanted freedom for his people; he wanted them to be independent, to live the kinds of lives they wanted. The democracy we are enjoying today is democracy for the whole continent.
To those perpetuating these xenophobic attacks, I want to say to them they are not part of us and if they want to, must stop these barbaric acts immediately. Madiba must be turning in his grave to see what is happening in his beloved country because this not the kind of freedom he fought for.
Refrain from attacking fellow brothers and sister because that is very UNAFRICAN.
You’re in sport
Ephraim ‘Shakes’ Mashaba
On Behalf of all National Football Team coaches
When our parents were growing up, their desire was to belong to a free Africa in which South Africa was part of. Now that we have democracy, we cannot say South Africa is only us. We live in a global village these days.
Let us refrain from abusing our fellow brothers and sisters who are in this country. They are not here because they are lost; they came here because they said they were coming to their fellow brothers and sisters.
Let us embrace them and live together as one united family. On behalf of all national teams, I condemn the barbaric acts being perpetuated by a few individual.
The late former state President Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela once said: “Never, and never again will there be one person having an edge over another person.”
What is happening now is taking several steps backwards because we have gone against Madiba’s teachings. The late Tata wanted freedom for his people; he wanted them to be independent, to live the kinds of lives they wanted. The democracy we are enjoying today is democracy for the whole continent.
To those perpetuating these xenophobic attacks, I want to say to them they are not part of us and if they want to, must stop these barbaric acts immediately. Madiba must be turning in his grave to see what is happening in his beloved country because this not the kind of freedom he fought for.
Refrain from attacking fellow brothers and sister because that is very UNAFRICAN.
You’re in sport
Ephraim ‘Shakes’ Mashaba
On Behalf of all National Football Team coaches
By: Editor
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