Willemse walkout remains a mystery
SuperSport’s independent review rules out racism
RUGBY fans are no closer to knowing why former Springbok wing Ashwin Willemse walked out of a SuperSport TV studio during a live broadcast of the postmatch analysis of a Super Rugby match on May 19.
Willemse sensationally said to fellow studio analysts Nick Mallett and Naas Botha he would not be undermined by his fellow in-studio colleagues, uttering the words that “he would not be patronised by two people who played under apartheid” referring to Mallett and Botha who played their rugby mainly in the 1980s. He also said he had been called “a quota” before walking off set.
However, an independent review carried out by advocate Vincent Maleke, appointed by SuperSport to investigate the matter, found that racism was not involved in the studio walkout incident. But the findings did not include Willemse’s version of events that day as he chose not to participate in the investigation, giving no reason for this.
SuperSport chief executive Gideon Khobane said Willemse remained contracted to the company and he wished to speak to the former Bok wing to ascertain why he walked out.
“In the spirit of reconciliation, I want to find a way forward,” said Khobane. “Nick and Naas will continue in their roles as analysts and I also still see a place for Ashwin. It’s important we don’t close the door on him.”
Maleke’s 50-page report included interviews with all those in the studio on the day the Lions played the Brumbies.
He also conducted an interview with race relations expert Professor Adam Habib.
According to the findings, the conduct of Botha and Mallett didn’t amount to naked racism, there was no evidence of subtle racism and it cannot be explained why Willemse walked out.
SuperSport has vowed to create a forum for their analysts to express their views to improve their work conditions and put a code of conduct in place to allow for the airing of grievances. Those in the studio on the day of the walkout would be given an opportunity to go for counselling.