TEBOGO VAN DER BERG writes:
When I called my friend to make arrangements for the rugby match between the Springboks and All Blacks, I did not anticipate the challenge we would face.
We sat at a table at a Glen Marais pub and had a decent view of the TV. Moments later there was a group of about 12 people in front of us, also coming to enjoy the Springbok game.
At a later stage more people came and joined the group in front of us having to stand because the pub was full.
We watched the first half and it was very exciting and intense. When I reached for my cigarettes an Afrikaans man walked up to me and said that I could not smoke there. Right by the table where I was sitting was a sign that read ‘Smoking Area’.
He then went to tell the manager that I was smoking in his pub. Moments later the pub’s electricity went out. The same man said, “Oh, ja Zuma”, chanting in my direction, “Jou k****r”. Sitting with me were my wife, my friend and his wife, all feeling offended. I then, in my nature, make sure he understood that I heard his racist Afrikaans comments.
It did not take one minute after I directed my anger to the man, who was probably 20 years my senior, when all those Afrikaans men wanted to rip my head off. It is sickening to know that there are people like that in our community, or let’s say, white community, where black people are not welcome to even enjoy a rugby game without being troubled.
It makes me sick to my stomach.
I don’t understand why the manager disappeared into the crowd when a customer at his pub was being attacked racially. What even disturbs me more is that no one stood up and said to the man he was wrong. Instead, they wanted to crucify me for standing up for myself.
