— ✍️ Akhilesh Kumar

South Africa’s recent victory in the World Test Championship marked a historic milestone, securing their first major cricket trophy in 27 years—a period symbolically mirroring the duration of Nelson Mandela’s imprisonment. Mandela, a global icon in the fight against racism and apartheid, was South Africa’s first democratically elected president, leading the nation toward reconciliation after decades of systemic oppression.

This triumph on the cricket field is not merely a sporting achievement but a testament to the nation’s journey toward inclusivity, driven by affirmative action policies known as “Transformation Targets.” These policies have reshaped South African cricket, offering opportunities to marginalized communities and fostering a more equitable society.

Apartheid and Its Impact on South Africa

For much of the 20th century, South Africa was governed by apartheid, a brutal system of racial segregation and discrimination enforced by the Afrikaner National Party led by Whites from 1948 to the early 1990s. The term “apartheid,” derived from Afrikaans and meaning “separateness” or “apart-hood,” originated with Dutch and German settlers who arrived in Africa in the 1600s. Apartheid policies institutionalized racial hierarchies, relegating the Black majority—comprising around 80% of the population—to the margins of society.

Black South Africans faced exclusion from quality education, housing, and employment opportunities, while laws prohibited interracial mingling and marriage. The 1927 Immorality Act, for instance, criminalized relationships between Black and White individuals, echoing caste-based restrictions in South Asia, where Dalits were historically barred from intermingling with other castes. Apartheid policy classified the population into four racial groups: White, Coloured (multiracial), Indian, and Black. Indians, brought to South Africa as indentured laborers in the 19th century, faced exploitation, but the Black population endured the most severe oppression, confined to impoverished townships and subjected to dehumanizing laws.

This systemic marginalization extended to sports, where Black athletes were denied access to facilities, training, and opportunities to compete. As a result of these discriminatory policies, South Africa was banned from international sports, including the Olympics and cricket, from the 1960s until 1990, when global pressure and internal resistance began dismantling apartheid. The struggle against apartheid was long and costly, led by Black activists, students, and leaders like Mandela, who spent 27 years in prison for his resistance. The sacrifices of countless individuals paved the way for South Africa’s transition to democracy in 1994, White South Africans remain overrepresented in many sectors, including sports, necessitating policies like affirmative action to address historical imbalances.

Affirmative Action and Transformation

Affirmative action, as articulated by philosopher and feminist theorist Nancy Fraser, is a strategy of recognition aimed at correcting historical injustices by creating opportunities for marginalized groups. Fraser argues that affirmative action operates within existing societal structures, addressing symptoms of inequality—such as lack of representation—without tackling its systemic roots. She contrasts this with “transformation,” a more radical approach that restructures the institutional frameworks perpetuating injustice. Transformation, for Fraser, integrates redistribution (addressing material inequalities like wealth and land ownership) with recognition (valuing cultural identities), targeting economic systems, labor markets, and cultural hierarchies.

In South Africa, transformation extends beyond representation to address the structural inequalities inherited from apartheid. For instance, land reform and economic empowerment initiatives aim to redistribute resources, while policies in education and employment seek to uplift marginalized communities. Fraser’s framework underscores the need for holistic change, aligning with South Africa’s broader efforts to build a just society. In sports, this vision is embodied in “Transformation Targets,” a policy designed to ensure equitable representation and opportunity.

Transformation Targets in South African Cricket

South African cricket adopted “Transformation Targets” in 1998 to promote “players of color” (non-White players), formalizing the policy in domestic cricket in 2002 and making it binding in international cricket by 2016. The policy mandates that at least two Black African players be included in the national team, ensuring representation for a community historically excluded from the sport. This initiative reflects a commitment to inclusivity, recognizing cricket’s potential to unite a diverse nation.However, the journey toward inclusivity has been fraught with challenges.

Black cricketers have faced discrimination and isolation within the team, often labeled “quota players” by White teammates and critics. Makhaya Ntini, the first Black player to debut for South Africa in 1998 and a celebrated bowler, shared his experiences of alienation in an interview with the South African Broadcasting Corporation. “I was forever lonely,” he recalled. “Nobody invited me for dinner. Teammates made plans in front of me, excluding me. At breakfast, no one sat with me.” To cope, Ntini often avoided the team bus, a decision he kept private to shield himself from further isolation.

Similarly, Ashwell Prince, one of South Africa’s finest batsmen, described the team environment as “a lonely place” during South Africa’s Social Justice and Nation-Building hearings’s interview. Labeled a “quota player,” Prince confronted teammates, saying, “If I wasn’t supposed to play, look me in the face and tell me. Don’t blame the quota system.” He noted a pattern where Black players were scapegoated for losses but rarely celebrated for victories. This marginalization mirrors global trends. In India, for example, A hockey player, Vandana Katariya who comes from Dalit Community faced casteist slurs after India’s loss to Argentina in the 2021 Olympic semifinals, despite her greater contribution in the Women's Hockey team. Marginalized athletes, whether in South Africa or elsewhere, often bear the burden of proving their worth, receiving blame for failures but little recognition for successes.

Temba Bavuma and the Triumph of Transformation

South Africa’s World Test Championship victory, led by Temba Bavuma—the first Black cricketer to captain the national team—symbolizes the success of Transformation Targets. Bavuma, who faced discrimination, color-based insults, and body-shaming, was often dismissed as a “quota player.” Yet, under his leadership, South Africa played 10 matches without a single loss, a remarkable feat. In a post-victory press conference, Bavuma expressed his hope to be “seen—truly seen—for the person, leader, and cricketer he is.” His journey underscores the importance of affirmative action in providing opportunities for communities long denied representation.

Transformation Targets have enabled talented “Players of color”, including Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Hashim Amla, Vernon Philander, Tabraiz Shamsi, Reeza Hendricks and others, to excel, enriching South African cricket. These athletes are not just playing a sport; they are contributing to nation-building by demonstrating that inclusivity strengthens both teams and societies. The policy ensures that cricket reflects South Africa’s diverse population, fostering unity in a country once divided by race.

South Africa’s “Transformation targets” can be followed in other countries also, In India cricket remains largely inaccessible to Dalit and tribal communities. Historically, few players from these groups have risen to prominence. Palwankar Baloo, a cricketer from Dalit community who played before India’s independence, faced discrimination on the field, denied equal treatment despite his talent.

Today, the underrepresentation of Dalits and tribals in Indian cricket highlights the need for affirmative action. Policies similar to Transformation Targets could ensure opportunities for marginalized communities, making cricket a truly inclusive sport. Globally, affirmative action in sports can address systemic barriers. In the United States, for instance, programs promoting minority participation in baseball and basketball have diversified teams, while Australia’s initiatives to include Indigenous athletes in rugby and cricket reflect similar goals. These examples illustrate the transformative potential of inclusive policies, aligning with Fraser’s vision of combining recognition and redistribution.

A Victory Beyond the Field

South Africa’s cricket victory is more than a sporting triumph; it is a celebration of resilience, transformation, and the power of affirmative action. Transformation Targets have not only diversified the national team but also challenged the legacy of apartheid, creating a platform for marginalized communities to shine.

As Fraser’s philosophy suggests, true transformation requires addressing both material and cultural inequalities, a process South Africa continues to pursue.Affirmative action is not about privilege; it is about restoring dignity and opportunity to communities long denied both. South Africa’s journey offers a blueprint for other nations, demonstrating how sports can bridge divides and build inclusive societies. As Temba Bavuma and his team lift the World Test Championship trophy, they carry the hopes of a nation striving for unity and justice—A legacy that extends far beyond the cricket field.

- Akhilesh Kumar is a PhD scholar at Jamia Millia Islamia University, specializing in the Centre for Dalit and Minorities Studies. His Doctoral research focuses on "Conceptualising Marginality: Dr. B. R. Ambedkar and the Women's Question’.

Disclaimer- The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author in their personal capacity. They do not reflect or represent the official stance, policies, or position of The Mooknayak or its editorial team.