Participating in Bokkieweek is a choice exercised within the civil sphere of society. Government should not interfere with it, nor disadvantage or threaten participants.
This is the stance of the Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) after the tournament drew the ire of government figures, as evidenced by remarks from Gauteng Premier Mr Panyaza Lesufi and the Chairperson of the Select Committee on Education, Sciences and Creative Industries in the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), Mr Makhi Fene.
In addition, the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Mr Gayton Mackenzie – who himself has to justify spending R31 million on the Soccer World Cup – now also wants to launch an investigation into this popular sports week.
It is important to note that Bokkieweek is organised by Afrikaner Volkseie Sport, a completely voluntary association that functions without any state funding. So, it functions within the civil sphere, which is distinct from both the public and the private spheres.
The public sphere uses state funds and is responsible for, among other things, awarding official provincial and national colours in sport. The private sphere concerns relationships between individuals and is not relevant in this regard.
The civil sphere is where communities of whatever nature come together for a shared purpose – whether it is cultural activities, sports competitions, recreation or a combination thereof.
Bokkieweek is a tournament that falls within the civil sphere. Just as government has attempted to enforce its transformatism through interfering in the country’s economy, it is now seeking to interfere in the civil sphere as well.
An additional, voluntary, self-funded tournament does not deny anyone anything. In fact, there is ample opportunity for more such tournaments, provided they are viable. With its 35th anniversary, which attracted thousands of participants from across the country, Bokkieweek has clearly demonstrated its viability.
The civil sphere is specifically protected in terms of Section 235 of the South African Constitution. As long as no one is excluded on the basis of race, cultural communities may undertake activities among themselves, without being targeted.
Bokkieweek is not in direct competition with any official sport tournaments. So, to do an injustice to young athletes at official level because of their participation in Bokkieweek is, in effect, recognising that it is, in fact, a competitive national tournament – which is much more than Bokkieweek claims to be.
The Freedom Front Plus believes that the authorities should focus their attention solely on the public sphere and leave communities operating in the civil sphere in peace.
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