Former South Africa Cricketers Slam Lungi Ngidi For 'Nonsense' Stance On Black Lives Matter

Former South African cricketers Pat Symcox and Boeta Dippenaar have slammed Lungi Ngidi for his support to Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement. On Monday, Lungi Ngidi said he hopes South African players will join the “rest of the world and make a stand,” of anti-racism, especially given the country’s history.

The BLM movement started after the killing of African-American man George Floyd in the US at the hands of a police officer. The incident sparked outrage across the world and people took to streets to raise their voice against racism. Sportsperson have also been actively playing their parts in the movement.

Lungi Ngidi also followed suit and said that the racism issue is “something that we need to take very seriously and like the rest of the world is doing, make the stand.” However, his comments were not taken well by former wicketkeeper Rudi Steyn, who shared the article on his Facebook page with Dippenaar and Symcox expressing their criticism in the comments section.

“I believe the Proteas should make a stand against racism, but if they stand up for ‘Black Lives Matter’ while ignoring the way white farmers are daily being ‘slaughtered’ like animals, they have lost my vote,” wrote Styen, who has played three Tests and one ODI for South Africa.

Dippenaar, who has featured in 38 Tests and 107 ODIs for South Africa between 1999 and 2007, wrote: “I am afraid to say “Black Lives Matter” have become nothing more than leftist political movement.

“I would suggest that Lungi Ngidi listens a bit more to likes of Thomas Sowell, Larry Elder, Walter Williams and Milton Friedman. All lives matter. If you want me to stand shoulder to shoulder with you Lungi then stand shoulder to shoulder with me with regards to farm attacks,” he added.

Former off-spinner Symcox, who played 20 Tests and 80 ODIs for South Africa, too was scathing in his criticism, writing:

“What nonsense is this. He must take his own stand if he wishes. Stop trying to get the Proteas involved in his belief,” .

“Besides the fact that right now Cricket South Africa should be closed down. A proper dog and pony show with cricket being dragged through the mud daily. Buy popcorn and watch. Now when Ngidi has his next meal perhaps he would rather consider supporting the farmers of South Africa who are under pressure right now. A cause worth supporting,” he added.

The BLM movement, nonetheless, is facing criticism from several quarters for not sticking to the same cause. In England, Premier League clubs as well as other eminent football personalities have started distancing themselves from the movement. One of the reasons behind it was the antisemitic and anti-Israel social media posts by groups linked to the movement.

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