CSA to review transformation policy

Cricket South Africa will host its first transformation 'indaba' (conference) in Johannesburg in more than a decade this weekend to review the progress of its ability to reach out to previously disadvantaged groups. The meeting will focus on the transformation policy and assess where it can improve in providing facilities, resources and access in previously disadvantaged communities, with particular emphasis to black African areas.

The organisation admitted that in the past they, "might have been policy complaint without achieving real transformation" and there is evidence of such in the numbers. Since South Africa's readmission in 1991, 81 players have played Test cricket, of which only five - Makhaya Ntini, Mfuneko Ngam, Lonwabo Tsotsobe, Thami Tsolekile and Monde Zondeki - are black Africans.

Last season was the first time a black African was in charge of a franchise. Geoffrey Toyana was appointed at the Lions and had a successful debut season winning the domestic T20 competition and sharing the one-day cup in 2012-13. In an attempt to increase representation, earlier this year, Linda Zondi, a former black African KwaZulu-Natal wicketkeeper, was appointed to the national selection panel.

The indaba will focus on seven broad streams, including governance, procurement of goods/services and appointment of staff, professional cricket, amateur cricket, funding, transformation legacy/history, selection of teams/appointment of officials.

"Transformation: 'time to do the right thing', will be the theme behind our indaba," said CSA President Chris Nenzani. ""We should remind ourselves that it is also a constitutional imperative and we owe it to all the people of our country to make sure that the playing field is level for everyone. In the past we might have been policy compliant without achieving real transformation and the time has arrived for that to change."

Haroon Lorgat, CSA CEO, said that one of the first steps he had taken since assuming office was to appoint a dedicated transformation manager, Max Jordaan, in his executive team.

"Transformation must be in our hearts and minds and I have noticed a willingness from all stakeholders, in particular, the Proteas who have been a driving force in recent times," Lorgat said. "As our senior role models they would also be the ultimate beneficiaries of all the good that we intend to achieve.

"There have also been some fantastic initiatives recently such as the Momentum eKasi Challenge and I hope to develop this across the country before the start of every new season."

The last conference on transformation took place in 2002.