‘Wrong impression’ in booklet

Press, 22 June 1985, Page 9

‘Wrong impression’ in booklet

A glossy South African Rugby Board booklet being distributed in New Zealand gives a false picture of South Africa says Canon John Osmers, a former New Zealander based in Botswana.

Canon Osmers has spent 26 years working in Lesotho and Botswana, which are independent States, the former encircled by South African territory and the latter on South Africa’s border.

During his visit to family members in Christchurch, Canon Osmers has read the 20-page booklet called

“The Possible Dream,” which is being distributed for the board by the New Zealand Organisation for Sporting Freedom (formerly 5.P.1.R.). More than 7000 copies are being sent to farmers, churches, trade unions, schools, sports people, business people, and all rugby clubs.

Canon Osmers, long an outspoken critic of apartheid, said yesterday that while the booklet said that politics should be taken out of sport “the booklet itself is full of politics.” The South African Gov-

ernment was saying that the effect of bringing more integration into sport would spill over into other fields, he said.

“That is manifestly untrue.

“There has been integration in some parts of sport in South Africa, not because the South African Government has had a conversion towards integration but because it is under pressure from overseas teams who have insisted on the mixedseating stadiums.”

Canon Osmers said South Africa was desperate to maintain contacts on all

levels—economic, cultural, and sporting. “This booklet supports their own views on what they are doing.” Canon Osmers said that the “atmosphere of normalcy” portrayed in the booklet “is just not true.”

“It gives a picture which is simply favourable to the white South African political views.”

Mr Bert Walker, of Christchurch, a tour supporter who has visited South Africa, said last evening that he was relieved to see such a booklet about.

“I’m concerned that New Zealanders do not receive adequate information about what is happening in rugby in South Africa,” he said.

“It is regrettable that not more of this is seen in new Zealand.” Mr Walker said there definitely was integration in sport in South Africa. The booklet, which would cost about $4.16 to produce in New Zealand, would have cost the South African Rugby Board at least $29,000 including transport and distribution costs, the Press Association reports.