The white Afrikaans sports event Minister Gayton McKenzie and Premier Panyaza Lesufi said is racist and will not be allowed

Bokkieweek, an annual Afrikaans sporting event which has run for 35 years, is under siege from politicians calling it racist and yearning back to apartheid.

Bokkieweek is organised by Afrikaner Volkseie Sport (AVS), a non-profit organisation which promotes sports for Afrikaner youth. 

It operates outside of the official South African school sports structures, such as South Africa’s Rugby Craven Week or the Schools Netball Challenge.

Over the years, the AVS has expanded its calendar to include additional events, such as Somerweek and an Under-23 tournament.

“Bokkieweek offers Afrikaner children the opportunity to participate at a provincial level within their cultural community,” the organisation states.

The sports on offer at its events include rugby, netball, hockey, cricket, 7s rugby, fastball, and golf.

“Among your own people, you can live out your love for sport and relax. Get a chance to be yourself. Come and become part of the Bokkieweek experience.”

This year’s main event was hosted from 6 to 10 July in Naboomspruit, and Afrikaner Volkseie Sport described it as a great success.

“The recurring message is one of gratitude, pride, and appreciation for a sports week that means much more than just sport to many Afrikaner families,” it said.

However, not everyone shared that view. Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi and Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie slated the event.

“3500 white Afrikaner school children sang the apartheid anthem Die Lied van Jong Suid-Afrika during the opening ceremony,” said Lesufi.

“The teams compete against each other using the names of apartheid era provinces. This is a sporting event that is not open to all our children.”

He urged Minister McKenzie to intervene, arguing that it represented a reversal of South Africa’s hard-earned freedom.

“Let’s blacklist those who participate in this racist event and ensure that they are not allowed to be selected to represent our national teams,” he said.

McKenzie responded, saying, “This is utter nonsense, which we will not allow. Apartheid nostalgist showing up once again”.

Backlash from conservative Afrikaans institutions

Solidarity chief executive Dirk Hermann said the criticism of Bokkieweek is misplaced, as it is entirely normal to have a cultural sporting event based on merit.

Hermann, who attended the event, said that the Afrikaans community came together to watch their children play sports and enjoy themselves.

“They do it themselves, outside of the official structures. This is a community that works,” he said.

“This is a normal week where children can express their talents. There are also stands, which reminded me of a typical church bazaar.”

The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) also slammed the criticism, saying Bokkieweek is organised by Afrikaner Volkseie Sport, a voluntary association.

“It functions within the civil sphere, which is distinct from both the public and the private spheres,” the party said.

“The civil sphere is where communities come together for a shared purpose, whether it is cultural activities, sports competitions, or recreation.”

“Just as the government has attempted to enforce its transformatism through interfering in the country’s economy, it is now seeking to interfere in the civil sphere.”

The Freedom Front Plus argued that the voluntary, self-funded tournament does not deny anyone anything. “There is ample opportunity for more such tournaments,” it said.

The party stated that the civil sphere is protected under 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,” it said.

---

Bokkieweek photos

---