| |
Back to Index
Heath Streak: all balls, no backbone?
September
2002
Below please find various email correspondence received by
Kubatana following Zimbabwe cricket captain, Heath Streak's comments
in the press:
"There
are no problems in Zimbabwe at the moment. Security is fine."
Have your
say
The Zimbabwe Cricket Union welcomes feedback (according to their
web site) on any matters relating to Zimbabwe cricket. Make sure
you have your say.
Email:zim@cricinfo.com, zcu@mweb.co.zw
Post: Zimbabwe Cricket Union Administration, Harare Sports Club
Grounds Josiah Tongogara Avenue
Postal: P.O. Box 2739, Harare, Zimbabwe
Telephone: (263-4) 704616/8 Fax: (263-4) 729370
Website: www.zcu.cricket.org
What
others had to say:
I fully endorse this opinion (below), & intended sending out
a letter on the subject, but zimactivism beat me to it! They have
put the case perfectly. It is EXTREMELY disappointing that Streak
& other members of the team haven't used their high profile
to make a statement on the present tyranny destroying this country
. . . but obviously haven't the balls!! Perhaps the lucrative cheques
they receive has something to do with the lack of initiative on
their parts to stand up & be counted? Sport & politics don't
mix . . . pleease!? Where has Streak been all his life?? On Mars??
Streak has missed a wonderful opportunity to draw world attention
to the insufferable violence perpetuated on a daily basis on the
defenceless citizens of Zimbabwe. If courage is the foundation of
integrity . . . one has to wonder where that leaves our cricket
captain?
Col
- kayancee@mweb.co.zw
Zimbabwe cricket
captain Heath Streak has urged the cricket world not to boycott the
six matches scheduled to be played in Zimbabwe in next year’s World
Cup, despite the political crisis there.
"There
are no problems in Zimbabwe at the moment. Security
is fine and our families are there at the moment," he
said. "We’re confident the matches will go ahead. Our government
and Ministry of Sport have pledged their support and when Pakistan
come on tour in October it will be a good chance to see that things
are all right when it comes to sport," he said. 
"I’d prefer
not to delve into politics as sport and politics don't mix," Streak
said.
zimactivism
would like to remind Heath Streak that:
- the Zimbabwe
Cricket Union (ZCU) politicised cricket by appointing Robert Mugabe
as their patron. It is impossible to separate the personal from
the political. Every time we buy a newspaper, or tune in to ZBC,
or support a certain cell phone provider or supermarket we make
a political decision. We're curious . . . did you cast your vote
Heath, or was that too political?
- that the
armed guards that patrol State House directly adjacent to Harare
Sports Club have assaulted, harassed and intimidated people walking/cycling
past Mugabe's residence.
- that the
following graffiti is scrawled on the walls of the Harare Sports
Club complex:
"jihad
on whites - we want our land back"
- that, whereas
the majority of political posters from the presidential elections
have been removed, Robert Mugabe's fist still adorns the walls
of the Harare Sports Club. The club owners are obviously too scared
to remove them because of their proximity to presidential guards
toting machine guns and bayonets.
- it might
be true that visiting cricket teams will be safe travelling to
and from Meikles Hotel in their air-conditioned mini-buses. But
let's spare a thought for the THOUSANDS of Zimbabweans who have
been and continue to be intimidated and assaulted by agents of
the Mugabe regime, sometimes simply for reading the "wrong" newspaper.
- Zimbabwe
has 70% unemployment. In the face of these horrendous statistics
Zimbabwe has seen an increase in crime. Many people will agree
that they no longer feel safe walking the streets of Harare. The
likes of Heath Streak, when he's actually in the country, are
lucky enough to have security, transport and food in their bellies.
We are proud
of the achievements of the Zimbabwean cricket team. We understand
that a depressed and seemingly defeated nation needs to be uplifted
and unified through various events, sport included.
However, we
object to Streak's insensitive and selfish position on the subject
of a world cricketing boycott of Zimbabwe.
We are also
outraged by the ZCU's pursuit of revenues and profits in the face
of mass suffering in Zimbabwe. And we are incredulous that Zimbabweans
themselves will still set their consciences aside and support the
ZCU for some fun in the sun and beer in the belly whilst thousands
of their fellow countrymen and women are severely impoverished directly
through actions of the Zimbabwean government.
At the VERY
least, a percentage of gate-takings from all World Cup cricket matches
held in Zimbabwe should be donated to victims of political violence.
zimactivism
- zimactivism@hotmail.com
I am amazed
at the selfishness and shortsightedness of those who support the zimactivism
position on the Zimbabwe cricketers.
Why should anyone in Zimbabwe expect Heath Streak and the rest of
his team to sacrifice their cricketing careers, future earnings, what
remains of their parents farms and their possible future tenure in
Zimbabwe on the the flimsy alter of so called activism, supported
by shadowy activists who hide behind the security of anonymous e-mails.
The national Cricketers are certainly not the only individuals who
continue to give credence, legitimacy and direct and indirect moral
support to the corrupt regime which currently controls the country.
The Blacks in tennis, our swimmers and divers, the national mens and
womens hockey teams, our golfers have all performed internationally
at the highest level and on the world stage. Many of our business,
religious and service club leaders directly and indirectly give more
legitimacy and support to the ruling party than the national cricket
team.
What about those of us that continue to pay taxes, license fees, rates,
buy and advertise in the national daily newspapers. Those of us that
purchase towels, piping, bottles, plastic bags, fertilizers, geysers,
roof sheeting and a myriad of other products are all helping to support
and perpetuate the existence of the present government. The mere act
of buying a bottle of beer puts money into the Governments coffers
through at least four different sources.
It is hypocrisy to expect Heath Streak to make the supreme sacrifice;
which would undoubtedly cost him his job, his career, what is left
of his father's farms and probably his ability to remain in the country.
This all represents the inheritance on which he must survive and raise
his young family once he can no longer perform at the highest level
for his country. To ask him to make such a sacrifice whilst the rest
of us sit comfortably behind our computer screens forwarding e-mails
will merely have the effect of giving the government an excuse to
destroy what is in their eyes a further relic of colonialism. This
would in turn accelerate the process of driving thousands of young
valuable people out of the country. Our cricket team performing on
the world stage is the one bright light in an otherwise dark grey
sky. How many young Zimbabweans of all races hero-worship our young
cricketers; how many housewives follow the performance of our team
with almost fanatical enthusiasm.
We advocate destruction of all this, and the lives and careers of
our young cricketers to merely make a point. I for one, would feel
extreme guilt and a sense of shame were I asking our young cricketers
to take this course of action.
Rick Kriel
- rickkriel@mac.com
Maggie
Kriel - magskriel@mac.com
When I read your
Kriel letter I thought I wouldn't waste my time replying. However,
we as a family including our farm workers, are like millions of Zimbabweans
who have suffered abuse in every form, physical, mental, economic,
emotional, for the country we love and the people we love, for over
two years, I am more than qualified to comment. Because we chose to
speak out, to challenge the abuses through the Courts (all High Court
cases handed down in our favour), to speak out on the human and animal
rights abuses, we have lost everything. However we have our lives,
we have our integrity and our conscience is clear. We have fought
and are still fighting for the rights enshrined in our Constitution.
Mr and Mrs Kriel,
perhaps you need to see torture victims and hear their testimonies,
perhaps you need to see the faces of your children when they have
seen their father beaten to a bloody pulp, perhaps you should have
seen our son in Hospital after he'd been beaten with badza handles
for three hours, perhaps you should hear the wracking sobs of a
12 year old who has been gang raped (what if that was your daughter?).
Would you say everything was alright in Zimbabwe? I think not. Perhaps
you need to watch a horse being burnt to death or a dog having its
head beaten in by the state sponsored thugs. It is high time that
greed and ego was put aside and the suffering of millions of Zimbabweans
given priority.
Sadly Heath
Streak has blotted his copy book for ever - if he can say what he
did say and call himself a patriotic Zimbabwean then he has lost
the plot. Zimbabwe can be justly proud of the millions of loyal
supporters, here and elsewhere, who are prepared to put their heads
on the block for those suffering under this evil regime. I am a
Zimbabwean, and an activist for Human Rights and Democracy, and
will always be so, while this illegitimate regime continues to perpetrate
such atrocities against mankind, animals and the environment.
Kerry
Kay - chipesa@zol.co.zw
What signal does
the world get if it views 20,000 Zimbabweans basking in the sun, watching
cricket, drinking beer and generally appearing to be having a good
and peaceful time? - Boycott the Pakistan cricket tour to Zimbabwe
LET PAKISTAN
COME
Let me start
by saying I love cricket, it's my favourite spectator sport. The
Zimbabwean team has achieved some memorable wins from a limited
selection of players.
I have been
saying for some time that Zimbabweans should be engaging in civil
disobedience and passive protests. Lets face it, how can you go
on a non-violent peace march when Zanu PF thugs with assistance
with the Army and Police can attack those demonstrators with impunity.
All confrontational protests will be quickly disrupted with people
being beaten, killed or arrested. Strikes and work stoppages will
not work as a lot of workers can not afford to lose any of their
meager earnings. Prices are escalating, a black market in basic
commodities is thriving and mostly wages are remaining static. Strikes
will lead to more companies closing down and therefore more unemployment.
That the Pakistani
cricket squad is currently still intent in going ahead with the
Zimbabwe tour is quite correct. It is not up to professional cricketers
to get involved with world politics, this is also true of our Zimbabwean
squad.
The world has
focused on Zimbabwe in the last 2 years and more so during and after
the last elections. There is a strong belief that the political
climate over the past two years, the election process and the state
manipulation of the ballot all pointed to an illegitimate election
whose result does not reflect the views of many Zimbabweans. There
have however been conflicting reports from some observers and heads
of state who claim that the election was free and fair. If we do
not have a consensus of opinion on the last elections, this allows
Zanu PF to use this confusion to divide world opinion. How do we
show that we still do not accept the result and demand a new election
run by the UN, commonwealth or both? As much has been done by other
countries, and as Zimbabweans we have to make a strong statement
NOW.
What signal
does the world get if it views 20,000 Zimbabweans basking in the
sun, watching cricket, drinking beer and generally appearing to
be having a good and peaceful time? Jonathon Moyo, the Herald and
ZBC will use this event to 'prove' to the world at large that everything
is OK and that the vast amounts of reports of widespread "wholesale"
violence are unfounded.
All Zimbabweans
should boycott the Pakistani tour by not buying tickets or attending
any of the matches. This is not directed at the Pakistan team or
their government, instead it would demonstrate to the world that
the electorate do not accept the result of the fraudulent election
or the current state condoned violent instability that all Zimbabweans
are suffering under. Imagine that in the first ODI the players outnumber
the spectators. What a coup that would be for democracy! A clear
signal would be sent to the world regarding the true situation in
Zimbabwe and the feelings of the people. What message will the Pakistan
squad take with them to the rest of the world?
The result of
this mass protest will be seen worldwide via sport channels on satellite
and terrestrial television. No one would lose earnings (In fact
you would save money by not buying tickets), and no one could be
targeted for retribution, unless Mugabe decides to arrest the whole
population of Zimbabwe for non-attendance of a cricket match!
In the short
term, the sport would lose earnings and Zimbabwean cricket would
suffer. Without a change in this country, will there be a future
for Zimbabwean test cricket anyway? With the exodus of talent, skill
and investment, will we be able to field a competitive test side
anyway? It as not inconceivable that we will lose test status or
nobody will be willing to play us if we can't give them a competitive
game.
- BOYCOTT THE
WHOLE TOUR.
- DO NOT BUY
TICKETS OR ATTEND MATCHES.
- IF YOU HAVE
OR ARE CONSIDERING HAVING A HOSPITALITY TENT CANCEL YOU'RE BOOKINGS.
- IF YOU ARE
INVITED TO ATTEND POLITELY REJECT THE INVITATION.
THIS IS NOT
AN ATTACK ON PAKISTAN OR THE COMMONWEALTH. THIS IS A PEACEFUL PROTEST
THAT ZIMBABWEANS DEMAND AN END TO STATE SPONSORED VIOLENCE, A RETURN
TO LAW AND ORDER AND FRESH INDEPENDENTLY RUN ELECTIONS.
PLEASE SEND
THIS EMAIL TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW AND COPY IT TO THE WORLD PRESS.
LET'S MAKE THIS BOYCOTT WORK.
grant.berry@email.com
Great idea, but
I think that nothing will happen. The cricket for the last two years
has been an outlet for all to "bury their head in the sand" for a
while and enjoy a few moments with friends.
I do however
believe, that every one should go to the cricket dressed in "Black".
I think that you would probably achieve the desired objective. Imagine
going to the Cricket dressed in Black?.
The world will
get the message.
Mark
Please credit www.kubatana.net if you make use of material from this website.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License unless stated otherwise.
TOP
|
