The content on this page is not written by Polity.org.za, but is supplied by third parties. This content does not constitute news reporting by Polity.org.za.

The Congress of the People notes with concern the ANC hijacking event of the return of South African athletes from the IAAF World Championships, turning it into a political rally.

Among the speakers at O.R. Tambo International Airport was Julius Malema, who once again displayed breathtaking paranoia in accusing the "white media" of not supporting Caster Semenya, and further stating that "if it was a rugby team coming home, there would be more white people at the airport to greet them".

This latest outburst by Mr Malema is nothing more than destructive vitriol. The worst thing about it is that at a time when we should be celebrating a dramatic turnaround in our fortunes on the world track and field circuit, the ANC have chosen to politicise our successes in a way reminiscent of Germany in 1936.

After the unfair treatment of Caster Semenya, to turn her ordeal into nothing more than a political football for the express purpose of further dividing the nation undermines her strength as a woman, an athlete and most importantly, as a human being.