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The Inkatha Freedom Party wishes the South African Rugby Union well with its
Transformation Indaba, taking place in Montecasino, Johannesburg.

IFP Spokesperson on Sports and Recreation, and South Africa's youngest
Member of Parliament, Mr. Mkhuleko Hlengwa MP speaking on the sidelines of
the Indaba said, "The IFP has always believed and maintained that meaningful
transformation of South Africa post 1994 would be achieved through
actionable discussion which will respond both reactively and proactively to
the realities at grassroots."

On the issue of racial representation in rugby, Hlengwa said, "It must be
understood that transformation is a process not an event, but it is an
urgent process which needs all sections and sectors of our country to join
hands and unite efforts to ensure that sport is transformed and that racial
representation is achieved not through quota imposition but through
identifying and nurturing talent."

Hlengwa added, "Notwithstanding the apartheid induced inequality in sports
and recreation, 18 years into our freedom and democracy the ability and
talent should not be reduced to colour. It should be about ensuring that
opportunities are open to all, with a particular bias to rural communities
who have borne most the brutal brunt of inequality. The playing fields must
be leveled."

Hlengwa further added, "the Indaba had a national duty to take resolutions
that would give hope, and offer a realistic and practical direction on the
issue of transformation. The Indaba should not end up being a flowery talk
shop to pay lip service to transformation; rather it should be a festival of
progressive ideas with a genuine commitment to bringing about genuine
transformation"

"Previously disadvantaged communities find themselves today still
disadvantaged. This needs to change. Sports development is an integral part
of rural development," Hlengwa concluded.

The IFP wishes the SARU Transformation Indaba well as it tackles the
important task of bridging the gap between the advantaged and disadvantaged.