Parliamentarians Put Aside Their Differences In Unified Support For Semenya

MPs from across the political spectrum have put their differences aside in all-round condemnation of the International Association of Athletics Federations’ (IAAF’s) bid to force star athlete Caster Semenya to take substances to lower her testosterone levels.

The MPs, dressed in government-sponsored black T-shirts engraved with words such as “we condemn subtle hatred and racism”, in the national assembly were reacting to a statement by sports minister Tokozile Xasa in which she asked the country’s MPs to back her campaign against the IAAF’s attempt to medically reduce Semenya’s competitiveness.

MPs from across the political spectrum wore black golf T-shirts with messages of support including “we say NO to stigmatisation of women in sport”, and “we oppose subtle hatred”.

“Others arrive and say they want to give her drugs in order that she can’t compete,” chair of parliament’s sport and recreation committee Beauty Dlulane told the chamber in Cape Town. “We already have a huge drug problem among South African youth,” she added.

Opposition National Freedom Party lawmaker Nhlanhlakayise Khubisa said “what is happening to Caster is the worst form of racism.” “(It’s the) practice of patriarchy and chauvinism.” Sports Minister Tokozile Xasa ended the strangely cordial session in the National Assembly with a call to unite in an election year.

“As you begin campaigning for your parties, we urge honourable members to unite the world behind Caster Semenya and the IAAF’s regulations.” As it stands, the three-judge panel at the Court of Arbitration for Sport is deliberating the case and will deliver a verdict on or before 26 March.