Abstract
Transformation is one the most talked about topics within the cricket circles in South Africa and
will continue to remain so until all the imbalance are addressed. Even today, more than twelve
years after unity there are still worrying aspects of resistance. There exists an opinion in some
clubs, schools and even corridors of white opinion, a notion that there was no past culture of
cricket in previously disadvantaged communities. The transformation process, devised to
regulate for speedier redress and access to higher levels of participation, is often regarded as
reverse discrimination and violates the rights and diminishes opportunities for selection of
players from previously advantaged communities. As time goes by more questions will be asked
about the successes and failures of the United Cricket Board of South Africa’s development
programmes in their quest to close the gap between black and white cricket players.
The main objective of this study is to establish if the transformation agenda as outlined in the
National Transformation Charter and the policies designed by the United Cricket Board has made
an impact with its efforts to reshape the game and build a new national cricket culture in a new
democracy. Within this study the aim is to evaluate the impact transformation has made on
cricket since unification in 1991. To understand why transformation is fundamentally important
to cricket an outline is given on the current status of South African sport and a brief introduction
is given as to the goals and objectives of the study.
The literature review gives an overall view of sport under Apartheid in South Africa, and how
sport in particular contributed to culture creation and nation building. The role of sponsors and
their duel purpose in the promotion of sport and seeking future business is also touched on in the
literature review. The literature review also reflects on the National Transformation Charter
which includes the ten thrusts. The transformation challenges faced by the United Cricket Board
is included in the literature review, but one must discuss transformation taking into consideration
the controversial decision by the United Cricket Board to scrap the “quota” system so early into
the new democracy. This is discussed at length as it had far reaching effects on the transformation
policies of the United Cricket Board and all its affiliates.
Chapter three focuses on the various methods applied during the study. Given the nature of the
study a qualitative approach is preferred as the intentional focus is on personal perceptions,
attitudes, conceptual understandings and objectives of the research participants. A brief outline is
also given in this chapter on the sampling method used, gaining access and the use of a structured
questionnaire during formal interviews. Mention is also made of the documentary research,
observational studies and the challenges and constraints faced during the course of the study.
Chapter four highlights the views of the government on cricket transformation and also explains
the United Cricket Board’s transformation perspective. The overall development plan of the
United Cricket Board is discussed. This is followed by the evaluation of the successes and
failures of the various development programs within cricket. The study aims to highlight the role
played by the United Cricket Board and all its administrative structures as well as contributions
made by the private sector in their attempts to address the imbalances of the past. The study of
the cricket development with specific reference made to certain programmes that were designed
to make a significant contribution to transformation is discussed and evaluated. The question
concerning transformation and nation building is questioned and answered.
Practical examples are given on how players benefited and failed as a result of some the
programmes that were designed to give them opportunities to succeed as cricketers. The
perception of parents, teachers, players and administrators relating to transformation is
highlighted in this project. A short statistical summary is given in this chapter to highlight the
responses to certain questions pertaining to transformation.
The concluding chapter gives an account of the contributions made by the cricket development
programmes as well as the failures in trying to transform the game. It gives an account of the
opinions expresses by current as well as former national players on the issues surrounding
transformation and the inclusion of black player in the national team. This chapter also highlights
the mentality and perceptions that still exist within certain sectors of the cricket establishments. It
attempts to highlight possible reasons as to why transformation has been such a contentious issue
and the reasons why it will take a while before the true impact of the National Transformation
Charter can be measured. It also makes mention that development is an ongoing process and the
United Cricket Board together with all its stakeholder should continue to promote and encourage
cricket at all levels as it is the second most popular sport in South Africa.
Prof. W.M. Conradie