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The Herald, 23 July, 1980
MOSCOW. – Zimbabwe is on the brink of being admitted a full member of the Supreme Council of Sport in Africa. This has prompted the president of the Zimbabwe Football Association, Mr John Madzima, to repeat his plea earlier this year that all national sporting associations in Zimbabwe immediately sever remaining ties with South Africa.
“The chairman of the Supreme Council of Sport, Mr Ebrahim Ordia, of Nigeria, has personally requested me to put in an application for membership while we are in Moscow,” said Mr Madzima, who is the chef de mission of Zimbabwe’s Olympic team.
He said it would be necessary, when he arrives back home early next month, for Zimbabwe to form its own sports council to look after the interests of all sports.
“Through this council of sport we will be affiliated to the Supreme Council of Sport in Africa, which has strong connections in the Organisation of African Unity and the United Nations.”
Mr Madzima said: “I repeat my feeling that now we’re back in the Olympic movement and other world sporting arenas and have been welcomed by Africa, steps should be taken to sever all remaining sporting links with South Africa.
“We must not embarrass those who are in authority inside and outside our country by continuing with something we know is wrong.
“Our national sporting bodies who still have ties would do themselves a lot of good in taking the initiative to break away rather than wait to be told to do so.”
Mr Madzima said the anti-South African feeling among black African nations was stronger than ever and still building up.
Mr Madzima and the president of the Zimbabwe Olympic Committee, Mr Frank Lincoln, this week attended a memorial service held by African countries for the late President of Botswana, Sir Seretse Khama.
LESSONS FOR TODAY
The 1980 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXII Olympiad and officially branded as Moscow 1980 were the first that independent Zimbabwe took part in.
Sporting bodies in Zimbabwe severed ties with South Africa primarily due to the strong opposition to the discriminatory apartheid policies that were enforced in South Africa during that time. The boycott was a form of protest against racial segregation and discrimination, not just in sports but also in society as a whole.
The international community, including sporting bodies in Zimbabwe, recognised the injustices of apartheid and chose to take a stand by cutting off sporting contacts with South Africa. This action was part of a broader effort to isolate South Africa economically, politically, and culturally until the apartheid regime was dismantled.
Zimbabwe’s decision to sever ties with apartheid South Africa through sporting boycotts was a significant contribution to the global anti-apartheid movement and demonstrated solidarity with those fighting against racial oppression. By refusing to engage in sports-related activities with South Africa, Zimbabwean sporting bodies sent a powerful message condemning apartheid and supporting equality and human rights for all.
The decision to sever ties with apartheid South Africa had a significant symbolic impact. It demonstrated that the global community, including the world of sports, stood united against racism and injustice. This symbolic gesture helped raise awareness about the atrocities of apartheid and contributed to the eventual dismantling of the discriminatory system.
Online Reporter