Faf du Plessis has become the fourth white Proteas player to throw his weight and support behind the Black Lives Matter movement, while standing up for the comments made by Lungi Ngidi.
In what has become quite a closely followed development in the cricketing domain, Du Plessis has joined Rassie van der Dussen, Anrich Nortje and Dwaine Pretorius, who all in the last 24 hours have taken to social media to make a statement.
Like Pretorius, Du Plessis posted a rather moving and powerful message on his Instagram page, where the former skipper of the national team admitted that he might have gotten the fight for racial equality wrong in the past.
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‘I have gotten it wrong before. Good intentions were failed by a lack of perspective when I said on a platform that – I don’t see colour. In my ignorance I silenced the struggles of others by placing my own view on it,’ read a part of Du Plessis’ post.
The 36-year-old further continued to emphasise the dire need for people to have an important perspective in light of the division that surrounds the debate of racism in the South African society.
‘So I am saying that all lives don’t matter UNTIL black lives matter. I’m speaking up now, because if I wait to be perfect, I never will. I want to leave a legacy of empathy. The work needs to continue for the change to come and whether we agree or disagree, conversation is the vehicle for change.’
On Thursday evening Pretorius also expressed full support for the movement by indicating that he will be taking a knee on Saturday ahead of the inaugural 3TC Solidarity Cup at SuperSport Park.
‘It’s not a movement that says: “Black lives are MORE important than any other colour”,’ posted Pretorius.
‘It’s my brother from another mother asking me please see me for WHO I am and don’t persecute me because of my skin colour.
‘Yes, the movement says “Black” but I believe it’s relevant to any color and race. As a person and a Christian, I believe it’s my responsibility to strive, to treat every person I come across with the same respect and not judge them. I would love to see my boy one day live in a world where colour has no judgement.’
Similarly, Van der Dussen and Nortje noted on Twitter that they also stand behind their teammate Ngidi and that they are in support of the #BLM movement.
I support BLM – Van der Dussen
I fully stand behind @NgidiLungi and everyone that supports the #BlackLivesMatter #BLM #Equality pic.twitter.com/6ZnrRRjmRl
— Anrich Nortje (@AnrichNortje02) July 16, 2020
Ngidi has been the centre of attention after he told reporters last week that he would encourage his teammates to support the movement and make a decent stand against racism.
His comments were, however, criticised by former Proteas players Boeta Dippenaar and Pat Symcox, which resulted in a statement that was signed by 36 former black players and coaches, who defended Ngidi’s stance and questioned Dippenaar and Symcox’s motives.
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On Wednesday Cricket South Africa also released a statement where they offered their commitment and support to Ngidi, while raising concerns about the things said by Dippenaar and Symcox.
