Lungi Ngidi, the South Africa quick, copped flak from a pair of white former South Africa cricketers, Boeta Dippenaar and Pat Symcox, over his support for the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement.
Dippenaar and Symcox commented on a Facebook post by Rudi Steyn, which linked to an article about Ngidi urging South Africa’s cricketers to make a stand on the BLM movement.
Steyn, while posting, said: “I believe the Proteas should make a stand against racism, but if they stand up for “black lives matter” while ignoring the way white farmers are daily being “slaughtered” like animals, they have lost my vote.”
https://www.facebook.com/rudi.steyn.52/posts/3274880342567207
Dippenaar, who played 38 Tests and 107 ODIs for South Africa between 1999 and 2007, said “all lives matter” and also said Ngidi should support farmers’ issues in South Africa.
“I am afraid to say “Black Lives Matter” have become nothing more than leftist political movement,” Dippenaar said. “I would suggest that Lungi Ngidi listens a bit more to likes of Thomas Sowell, Larry Elder, Walter Williams and Milton Friedman.
“All lives matter. If you want me to stand shoulder to shoulder with you Lungi then stand shoulder to shoulder with me with regards to farm attacks.”
Players and staff from both sides took a knee ahead of the start of play. #ENGvWI | #BlackLivesMatterpic.twitter.com/h5037VajDu
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) July 8, 2020
Symcox, who played 20 Tests and 80 ODIs for South Africa between 1993 and 1998, took it a step further, saying Ngidi should stop “trying to get the Proteas involved in his belief”.
“What nonsense is this,” Symcox said. “He must take his own stand if he wishes. Stop trying to get the Proteas involved in his belief. Besides the fact that right now Cricket South Africa should be closed down. A proper dog and pony show with cricket being dragged through the mud daily. Buy popcorn and watch.
“Now when Ngidi has his next meal perhaps he would rather consider supporting the farmers of South Africa who are under pressure right now. A cause worth supporting.”
Stay strong Lungi Ngidi and stand firm by your beliefs. Many of the current and former South African cricket players will show their true colours one by one. #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/6hiY8XXiPY
— Blacks in Whites (@BlaqsInCricket) July 9, 2020
Earlier this week, Ngidi had expressed the need for the Proteas to take a stand on BLM, suggesting South Africa’s painful history with apartheid and racial discrimination necessitated it.
“As a nation, we have a past that is very difficult, with racial discrimination, so it’s definitely something we will be addressing as a team and if we are not, it’s something I will bring up,” Ngidi had said during a virtual press conference.
“It’s something that we need to take very seriously and like the rest of the world is doing, make the stand.”
