Jake must stay away and shut up
AH, the frailties of humanity. Vanity and self-importance have been the swords on which many human beings all over the planet have fallen since time immemorial.
Politicians are masters of the game, followed closely by sports people and then corporate board directors.
Newspaper editors have also fared well in this game, as have television presenters.
I mean, remember the once-admired "Iron Lady" of the United Kingdom, Margaret Thatcher, who led her country until she was half senile and left her party and country with another half-senile successor who inevitably lost power to the opposition in the next election.
You would think that for a country that models itself as a paragon of political morality and perfection, a good leader who has turned the economy around after two terms would leave the joystick to someone else to take over control and finish the job she started.
I remember another liberal-right African leader - also a fan of the free market - who put his country on the continental and world map and helped it to be recognised in spite of cynicism about Africa.
Towards the end of his mandatory second term, the big leader found an excuse not to leave, just like his counterparts on the continent have for the past seven decades of freedom from colonialism.
He was finally removed and disappeared into the sunset. By that time his reputation was damaged and his legacy questionable at best.
Sports people are very prone to this frailty too. I know of many sports stars who would rather go onto the field in a wheelchair than to retire while they still have 50percent of their sight, hearing and some speed.
The news this week that former Springbok World Cup-winning coach Jake White wants his Bok job back smacks of the same problem of not knowing when to make way.
White told the media that he wanted Peter de Villiers's mantle, even if for an interim period, to get Springbok rugby back on track and later hand over to his former assistant Allister Coetzee after the World Cup next year.
I am disappointed in Jake White.
I am not like those who are going to defend De Villiers on the race card, but I just think that White must move his shadow from Div's space.
Why does he think he is so special? In 2006, when he went through the same lean spell as Div is going through now, he expected support, especially from peers who understood the pressure and pain of losing streaks.
When he is supposed to do the same and be magnanimous, White becomes consumed by a sense of self-importance, vanity and sanctimony and imagines that he is the knight in shining armour who will save the Springboks.
And contrary to those who say he is not playing the race card, I think he is.
By saying that he will hand over to Coetzee, he is trying too hard to say he is not stabbing Div in the back because he is black - that is why he favours Coetzee, a black coach, to succeed him.
But he clearly does not think either of the two black men can lead the Boks to World Cup victory - only he can. If not, why does he not suggest that Coetzee take over from Div right away?
I mean, Coetzee was his assistant and supposedly would be as good as he was at running the show, hence the suggestion that the Western Province mentor be the next man in after the World Cup.
I don't care if Div must go, but White should stay away and shut up.
Kingkaizer
My sentiments exactly. Jake White must shut up. He has got his chance.Report Abuse
noholoza
That is the problem with this country, they like to think that they do not see race in everything as if that is wrong/bad. Div's appointment was race based in the first place the minute that nincompoop Hoskins said on national television(Still can't figure out what the hell he was trying to achieve if not racialising the issue) so everyone who follows rugby knows that. The fact that he was qualified came second, the fact that he had followed the same carreer development/achievements as JW came second. So I'm deeply dissapointed in JW but I'm not suprised. PDV must just get on with fixing the springbok defense or fire Dick Muir coz he is clearley not doing his job.Report Abuse
Chris
Rams Mabote, you are miss-informed.Jake White was ask if he would be interested to coach the Boks aggain. His reply was '' Yes". Not the other way round as you suggest.
So, whats wrong with that ?
He has all the right in the world to coach the Boks ,if ask to do so.
Any-one involved with the sport would say yes, just like Jake.
He did a good job, under extreme political and proffesional presure.
But I'm also sure their are many others that can also do it.
i dont think Peter de Villiers is through yet. He should get another few months to prove himself before we jump to conclusions.
This is something we just have to see through and get this afirmative action/qouta thing behind us once and for all.
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Whatajoke
Kingkaizer, you clearly sound like someone who just want to make noise.Jake White only had success. PDV ride the wave of sucess of JW. Now that he runs out of ideas the results is clearly showing. And the way he address sensitive issues he sounds like you!
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