Book Review: The Politics of South African Football

Malaika Lesego Samora Mahlatsi* reviews this book on soccer and states that although it raises fond memories for him, it does not explore the meaning of the World Cup for South Africa.

Oshebeng Alphie Koonyaditse’s debut book The Politics of South African Football is a yardstick by which future books on South African football will be measured. The extensive research that went into writing this book is extraordinary, with accurate dates going as far back as the nineteenth century.

The publication documents not just the football world, but also the history of South Africa as a country during the era of apartheid and its transition into the new dispensation. Koonyaditse’s ability to capture the essence of football as a unifying sport stems not only from the research material that he used in compiling this book but also from his experiences as a highly acclaimed sports journalist, commentator and radio presenter, among other positions.

This book awakens fond football memories in the reader and acknowledges legends of years past. Some notable names that are mentioned – such as Hebert “Shadrex”Zungu, Ernest“Pro”Ramohai and Albert “Hurry Hurry”Johansen to name but a few – are forgotten heroes whose contribution to South African football left a strong impact.

 

The road to the 2010 FIFA World Cup is well documented and excellently researched in the book. It begins in 1904, the year of the formation of FIFA, going through to the current year. Through this book, we are able to understand the details that went into hosting the 2010 spectacle in South Africa.

However, it is rather questionable – based on the thorough research done by Koonyaditse – why the economic implications of hosting this tournament are not discussed. The author fails to fully explore the meaning of South Africa hosting the World Cup, especially from the socio-economic point of view. This begs the question on how transparent the documentation of the actual politics of South African football is.

Nevertheless, The Politics of South African Football will be an interesting read for football fanatics as well as novices to the game, educating people about the history of the big game in South Africa.