Herschelle Gibbs and Makhaya Ntini, seen in this file photo at the Wanderers Stadium in 2006, have signed in support of Lungi Ngidi and #BLM
Thirty-one current and former domestic and international South African players including Makhaya Ntini, Vernon Philander, JP Duminy and Herschelle Gibbs, and five current coaches including Justin Ontong, the national fielding coach – all people of colour – have signed a letter in support of Lungi Ngidi and the Black Lives Matter movement . The statement, released to the media and seen and verified by ESPNcricinfo, is a collective effort aimed at showing solidarity with the anti-racism campaigns sweeping across the world. It calls on Cricket South Africa and white cricketers to show their support for equality.
The letter comes after a week of racially charged rhetoric in the country’s cricket circles, and notes that, collectively, the signatories “are not surprised” by the criticism Ngidi has copped from former players such as Pat Symcox, Boeta Dippenaar, Rudi Steyn and Brian McMillan.
“We commend Lungi Ngidi for supporting #BlackLivesMatter – and we’d like to add our support for it too,” the letter states. “We note the criticism aimed at Lungi for expressing his views – and we hope that Cricket South Africa (CSA), together with fellow cricketers – both present and past – will come out strongly in support of #BLM.
‘We note too that the most outspoken criticism directed at Ngidi has come via former players such as Pat Symcox, Boeta Dippenaar, Rudi Steyn, Brian McMillan and others, and we urge that their views be challenged.
“We are not surprised at their comments.”
Signatories to the letter: Makhaya Ntini, Vernon Philander, Ashwell Prince, Paul Adams, JP Duminy, Charl Langeveldt, Mfuneko Ngam, Robin Peterson, Aaron Phangiso, Justin Ontong, Herschelle Gibbs, Roger Telemachus, Wayne Parnell, Monde Zondeki, Omar Henry, Alfonso Thomas, Victor Mpitsang, Henry Davids, Loots Bosman, Henry Williams, Alviro Petersen, Thandi Tshabalala, Rory Kleinveldt, Thami Tsolekile, Dane Piedt, Garnett Kruger, Shafiek Abrahams, Lonwabo Tsotsobe, Eddie Leie, Imraan Khan, Ethy Mbhalati, Geoffrey Toyana, Wandile Gwavu, Rivash Gobind, Mandla Mashimbyi, Faiek Davids
More to follow
Source: ESPN Crickinfo