AND THE OTHER SIDE OF THE COIN?

Isn't it strange that virtually every poster looks at the industry within certain norms and constraints; anything outside, it's politics!
From my side, I would have also want to hear about the ff:

1. Where is promising first-ever black groom turned jockey Abie Fourie? The last, he had a serious fall but no follow up! Yet, when white jockeys have falls/accidents, there is a profusion of concern and sympathy!

2. Why no press release from the NHA that they are being taken to the High Court by a former groom (C Simoto) for non-disclosure? (Apparently, the NHA does not want to release the results of an exam he wrote for a trainer's licence which he requested in his home language). Should they lose, they will have to pay costs of R50 000.00 or more! Is this action to defend in the spirit of our reconciliation, transformation and upliftment? Should they not be going out of their way to assist him, like what they did for Cyril Naidoo & Bulana? Are there different shades or types of blacks?

3. Gold Circle has allegedly been giving former suspended trainer Anil Maharaj a run-around for stabling/training facilities for over a year;in the next breath, they make an issue of transformation! Maharaj has lodged papers with the Equality Court- this time around, he seems to have a strong case. If Gold Circle loses (yes, the operative 'if'), they will be sued for a substantial figure by Maharaj.

4.
Smiley Moosa's dismissal/retrenchment from Phumelela as a commentator has gone to the Labour Court. Despite Phumelela saying they have no objection to clubs using his services (outside of Phumelela), they write a letter to Zimbabwe officials to say (to the effect) that they must be wary of Smiley as he can bring the industry into disrepute! Weigh this against the vulgar and racist rantings of a white whom Phumelela supports!

What is the COMMON THREAD? Why certain happenings / events make for posting whilst others (also to do as much with horseracing) do not?

All this frustration leads to resentment and hatred of whites (as a monolithic object) which can eventually fulminate into violent action- whom will you blame?

Or, is there someone who has an explanation?

A challenging post but one that I cant ignore and no I'm not a racist.

Point 1 (I am sure that you are reffering to concerns raised about Strydoms well being following his fall) Lets compare this statement in football terms. If Eto was injured in a football match it would make front page in Spain. If a conference league player was injured it wouldnt get much further than the pitch where it happened. Strydom is a front line jockey and his well being will be of concern to many in racing. When Kevin Derere went missing there were quite a few on this site that made efforts to trace him and he was eventually found in Zim.

Point 2 Cant comment

Point 3 Cant comment

Point 4 Smiley had a number of supporters on this site who called for him to be reinstated.

As far as I am aware you are free to post what you wish and people are free to respond if they so wish. If a topic does not interest me I dont read or post on it. I too get frustrated that people dont respond to comments. I will go one further and say that some dont read much more than there own posts or the last post before their own. This does make them or anyone on this site racist.

The race issue is a tired one and seems to keep rasing its head in this country because the truth is, some just dont want to let it go. Im not only talking about whites, Im talking about the other races who continue to ride the issue almost continuing the hatred themselves. I mean no offence, but racism is not only a white afliction.

I am sorry that you dont know any decent white people maybe you should stick a reconcilitary hand out and see what happens before speaking of violence. I have said it in one of my posts before, there has been no real reconcilliation between races only half asssed hand shakes and fake smiles (from all sides).

Our politicians do nothing to change these views. Do you think the vast majority of people black or white understand party politics or each parties policies on issues. I think not. Blacks gravitate to the ANC and whites for the opposition without even knowing why.

I cant wait for the next generation because the old generation are carrying way too much bagage and hatred.

In which category do you fall Umlilo, old generation or new?

Politics is the process by which decisions are made by certain groups of individuals. Politics is usually applied to conduct within government, but politics is also involved in other fields, including corporate, family and sports club institutions. As much as people prefer that politics remains outside horseracing, it is a fact of life that politics will remain an integral part of horseracing. What some people in horseracing do not understand is that when the government bailed out horseracing in the late 1990's,undertakings were made to transform the industry and such undertakings included transforming the industry on racial lines. So when Alcaponee, who seems a decent fellow, says that "The race issue is a tired one ....." he is mistaken as "the race issue" is entitled to be around until the horseracing industry has fulfilled its obligations and done what it has promised to do, rather than paying lip service to its obligations. When the role players fulfill their various promises then and only then can someone say that "The race issue is a tired one".As I see it, every previously disadvantaged ccommunity has the right to complain that the horseracing industry has not fulfilled all its promises. Those people who think that the complaints are unfounded or baseless need to do their homework. If the homework is done then people will know (and not think) that there is merit in the complaint.There is no doubt that the examples given by Umlilo makes one seriously consider what is happening in the horseracing industry. Granted, each case should be decided on its own merits.Politics will remain in horseracing.Remember, where there is smoke there is fire. Well done to Umlilo and Alcaponee for being bold enough to post a thread like this.

Alcoponee & Osgood
Firstly, I am neither supporting violence nor turning the 'racsim' handle. As much as amongst whites (here we go again!), there are English, Greeks, Lebanese, etc, who also at times make comments which can be quite rightly interpreted as 'white racism' (for use of a better term!) about one another; a similar argument is putatively placed for discussion and consumption.
Within this context, the race issue is valid as much as the Afrikaners claim victimisation (sic farmers) and marginalisation (employment opportunities with AA & EE!).
Finally, this is not something that's personal or my point of view; it is what lends itself to interpretation. 'Educated' people can respond with objectivity. But, in a country with circa 40% illiteracy (and horrible violence egged on by the unrestricted availability of drugs and alcohol; don't menyion 'we will kill for..' inflammatory statements), can we afford to adopt this 'remote' involvement & moralising?
Yes, promises were made to expand the base of involvement and control (amongst black and white as punters, owners, trainers, etc) by a band of elitists who hijacked the industry from under our noses and continue to guard it withal!
In a wider context, we must look at the other side of the coin with maturity and objectivity; the more blacks are brought into horseracing, the more stability we will have. This as a result of contact, understanding and respect. Similarly, the more jobs that are created, houses assigned, etc, with that comes a sense of respectability and security for all.
Our black politicians rode on the back of enrichment deals- many with role players in the horseracing industry for that matter!
As one notes with all the drama within the ANC, it all sucks; oilgate, arms deal, casino licences, HIV/AIDs denials, ....! Where do whites, Indians and Coloureds stand in this blood-letting amongst Africans only; can they step in and make suggestions? Nobody is talking about making this country a better place for all- no, they are scoring points and leaving us all in limbo!
Have I got it right?

Got to bed quite late last night but woke up with this post on my mind, which shows that you probably achieved what you intended. (Start people thinking). I must congratulate you on that.

Osgood you sound as if you know quite well how the industry is being operated and you probably do have a valid point. Maybe this is the reason for stagnent growth within the industry.

I dont agree with transformation at all costs though. There is supposed to be a place in the sun for us all but as a minority male one does tend to feel marginalised. Its ironical how the ANC has very little visible white male representation yet they absorbed the enemy some years back. Yes I'm talking about the ANC absorbing the Nats or was this just a plan to keep these guys in jobs.

South Africans are out there waiting to be snapped up into positions within this or any other industry, but snapping up the first person you can find based on skin colour is dangerous, as it has been proven by our past.

Umlilo on the "remote' involvement & moralising?" issue, how would you change this. How are we expected to try and stop the speakers on statements of "kill for" and by what means. This is a slippery road and one that leads to civil war.

Have to agree with your points of view "In a wider context,...." Dignity for all, should perhaps be in the minds of the power hungry.

I strongly believe that there is a place for us South Africans in this country black, coloured, indian, white or other. I also strongly believe that in order for South Africa to become a truly inclusive democratic society, we need to make the effort to respect and understand each other at a grass roots level and not by means of forced policies and hot air.

Yes you have got it right. We're responding aren't we?

show us your contributors , its a white sport because the whites are the only group putting their money where their mouths are

hmmm and the punting spend comes from??????????

administrator- That is exactly the type of thinking that Osgood and Alcoponee and myself are talking about to discard!

For your info:
1. Nearly 80% of punters are blacks- should we tell them to stay off racing?
2. The Gambling Boards (National, Gauteng, etc) are over 80% in composition black- should they stop having anything to do with the whites in the indsutry?
3. The licence to operate is a privilege from the black Govt- must there now be a provision for a 'white' licence by a white?

So, if this is a white sport, with white contributors; why did your previous white govt capitulate to a 'black' terrorist group?

At the same time, why is a certain 'white' breeder capitalising on the usage of 'black' names for racehorses (Mpumelelo, Mpahla, Mahhala,Bhekinkosi, etc)? White names, Sir?

Besides, there are hundreds of whites (punters) also who would love to be more directly involved in this sport- they also remain voiceless and on the periphery. (I am not being patronising!)
I would rather we look at pro-actively promoting the industry, vis a vis, all stakeholders.

Its time the Phumelela/RA/Trust cartel came clean and took up its obligations to all stakeholders, not just for their elite inner circle.

cuckoo & umlilo, refer to post by Garrick et al....under MARKETING in this forum

Don, head feeling fragile this morning so dont want to get embroiled in a long debate.
Suffice to say is Phumelela/RA/Trust not doing enough re its obligations under its/their constitution ie King Code (inclusive as opposed to exlusive), transformation, development, transparency etc.
Dissenters or questioning the establishment leads to one being discredited, threatened, accused of hidden agendas and personal vendettas etc.
As for Garrick "recognition of some of the realities", one flaw in his theory is that not nearly enough has been done to include, educate, embrace the majority of our population in the game, be it decent tote facilities, proper punter education, meaning representation etc so the potential cannot be properly gauged.

umlilo read my post and see what i am saying. if you think punting makes you a contributor to the sport then you got no brains. phumelela would love the local sport to die, thats the point i am making

punters are the bottom feeders in this game, mere cannon fodder