Springbok Day - 1st December 2008

I just received this interesting email in my Inbox:

"As you are no doubt aware, the Springbok emblem is once again under attack, specifically by the SA Parliament's Sport Portfolio Committee. They demand nothing less than the complete abolition of the Springbok emblem and it's replacement by the King Protea as the symbol for rugby. They also demand no further use of the term, Springboks, to describe the South African national team. They will not consider any compromises. This, despite the fact that Nelson Mandela supports the Springbok emblem and that it is quite evident that the Boks have massive public support. So much for building the Rainbow Nation, reconciliation and fashioning the united non-racial society we yearn for!

The driving force behind this lunacy is Butana Khompela, the same man who threatened to confiscate the Springbok team and management's passports before the World Cup, if the team was not "transformed enough." Despite the massive support show by the country for the Springboks during both World Cup wins, this little bureaucrat with an axe to grind continues to seek the destruction of a beloved emblem which has been in existence for over 100 years.

What can we do? On 1 December 2008, South Africans all over the globe are planning to stand up in visible protest against political interference in the issue over the Springbok emblem. On this day we ask all of you to wear your hat, blanket, jersey, t-shirt, cap, scarf, pants, gloves or whatever, with the Springbok emblem on it. Whether it is to work, school, church or even parliament, as long as the emblem can be seen. Whatever you do, REMEMBER, 1 DECEMBER 2008, IS THE DAY ON WHICH YOU CAN TAKE PART IN A WORLDWIDE PROTEST ACTION. Supporters do it in green - with the Bok on their chests."