'A diplomat he is not' - Your views on Pietersen

To really understand what lies behind South Africa's selection travails, it is necessary to read Nelson Mandela (both biography and autobiography). If ever there is a shining example to the world about the virtues of a reconciliatory spirit, it is South Africa. Pietersen's rage misses the point - one made vividly by Andrew Hudson a few weeks ago in Cricinfo ... "in many ways, we are paying the price for the sins of our forebears...". It would take an extraordinarily mean mind to begrudge affirmative-action policies for a few years to wipe out the sins of decades.

Besides, how many places are truly reserved - three in the national squad, two of which are taken by Gibbs and Ntini, both fine candidates for a world squad. What lack of opportunities is Pietersen crying about? Or is it just a lack of belief? As a visitor to the World Cup last year, I was astonished at the number of South Africans - of all colours - who walked up to me, an Indian, and wished India luck in the World Cup final. If that is the South African way, may it live long and be a shining beacon to the rest of us. Suresh Shankar

Kevin Pietersen is no different to the thousands of other obnoxious Saffers/Aussies/Kiwis who move to London on a dodgy work permit; mysteriously lose their accents while waiting for their luggage at Heathrow Airport; complain about the cold and the crowded Underground; earn a couple of pounds; laugh about the favourable exchange rate; and after one British summer declare themselves to be dyed-in-the-wool Pommies. The only difference is, instead of working behind a bar in Soho like most of the other expats, Pietersen is working as a professional cricket player. Dave Williams

This is the first sensible article that has been written about the race issue in South Africa. The fact of the matter is that black youngsters have to be encouraged to take up a sport they've long regarded as a vestige of apartheid. The system currently being used is not perfect, but it is far better than the so-called "merit" system, which is just another excuse to keep players of colour out of the game. White South Africans are migrating in ever larger numbers, as can be witnessed from the declining crowds of white spectators watching the matches. Until South African cricket can attract black and Asian spectators to the matches, and groom black and Asian cricketers for the national team, South African cricket will continue to decline. Michael Sivapragasam

Mr Vice believes all whites would grab any chance to jump ship, but because they cannot, they feel anger against those who can who do and who succeed. I am not jealous of Kevin Pietersen's new life overseas, but am very unhappy that he chose to leave South Africa entirely. Go overseas and play county cricket, make the money you are greedy for, get great experience to help your cause ... but don't play for a country that is not your own. Your dream is to play for your country, not any country. Michael Jones

If a black player is not good enough for provincial cricket, he has no option but to leave the game and look for employment somewhere else. The likes of Pietersen, however, can instead qualify to play for England because of a British passport. He should be grateful for the opportunity - Pietersen needs to find the humility of an Andrew Strauss. Zama

If Pietersen was from Australia, England or any other sport-loving country, and chose to emigrate and play for a main rival in a much-loved sport, they will most certainly receive the same treatment, if not worse. It is not a case of racism, ignorance or stupidity. It is a matter of pride, a sense of belonging and patriotism. Jaco Burger

South Africans is a proud nation, with a rich history, albeit a troubled one, who are world leaders in many fields, not least of them reconciliation. White South Africans are the only people who have ever voted themselves out of power. Ours is the only African country to accomplish the transition from colonial-inspired white supremacy to majority rule without genocide. We are passionate about sport, and make no apology for that, but to claim that we are all racists is on a par with saying that all Englishmen are soccer thugs. Michael Muller

Brilliant. I think this goes beyond mere cricket reportage into an anthropological commentary on the state of the Rainbow Nation. Cheers, and may the articles keep coming! R Rajesh

Telford Vice has got it wrong. White cricket supporters in South Africa are not prejudiced in favour of a white-only team. The only thing we want is a winning team, be it white, black or any mixture thereof. If it is black only, we will be behind it, singing its praises ... as long as it is winning. We are upset with Pietersen because he could have been a great asset. Maybe he did not have the confidence to fight for a place. Ray Chowder

It's very true what you say about South African cricket. The boardroom wars of the unions damage the image, and many a time the booing is not necessarily for a particular player, but more for the incompetence higher up in the chain. Selectors in this country first look to make themselves comfortable, only then do they focus their energy on the real task. Only now do we realise what our selectors turfed away. One man's trash is another's treasure. Gareth

I am reminded of Percy Sonn's reply to Clive Rice's reaction to the Ontong controversy in Australia four years ago: "Clive, you are part of the problem, feel free to comment if you want to become part of the solution." Neither wants to embrace and be part of the new South African system, so they whinge about crime and affirmative action as their reasons for leaving. Colin Jeftha

Kevin Pietersen might want to masquerade as a Pom, and if that makes him sleep better at night, then good for him. But somehow, deep down, I bet he wishes he could pull on a green-and-gold shirt instead. Once a South African, always South African. Billy Stelling

Isn't it more simple? He is a professional cricketer and gets paid for playing the game. The more successful he is, the higher income he commands. In simple terms, he had an opportunity to play for England, and he took it. England remains the biggest draw to the game. Playing cricket for England is lucrative, perhaps more so than for any other country. Why shouldn't Pietersen have a choice? Mark Scott

I was shocked to read the article by Telford Vice. I lived in South Africa up to four years ago and can really not find myself in what he is saying. The statement is not true for the majority of white South Africans. He creates a blatantly subjective and negative perception. Koos Jonker

The problem with South African sport is that it has politicised itself to such an extent that it has forgotten that its teams are supposed to represent the best South Africa has to offer, in order to beat the best the opposition has to offer. Reinier Weers

Telford, my man, you have missed the real South African cricket demographic somewhere in your analysis. Most have been overseas more than once, have family members or friends living abroad, or have returned from living overseas (the counter-diaspora). And most have woken up to the fact that South Africa is a far better place to live than the overcrowded, overcontrolled, overstressed, polluted socialist ghettoes that make up lots of first-world cities, where freedom is confused with the "right" to behave immorally. Pierre Kleinhans

South Africa is surely the only country where the captain and coach cannot decide who plays from one match to the next. I am more than happy to have a team with more than "the quota" of black players, but only if, like Makhaya Ntini and Herschelle Gibbs, they warrant the position. Billy Strong

I think that Pietersen has behaved like an ungrateful spoiled brat, but I have no desire to join him in leaving South Africa. In fact I am fully in favour of affirmative action - especially if it gets rid of people like him! Bill Cairns

Pietersen's lack of shame is what grates. The best that can be said for this unpleasant and over-rated player is that he is too shallow to realise what offence he gives. His evident passion for England, built up after four years in that country, after 20 or so years in South Africa, is a clear mark of this trait. Mike Zabaame

I find it strange that white South Africans are so afraid to stay in the country. They say that there's no future for them, and yet this season we had AB de Villiers and Dale Steyn making their debuts. Nothing much has changed since 1991 when SA was welcomed back to international cricket. Whites are still playing at the highest level and they still get all the best chances. If you are not happy, then please leave this beautiful country peacefully and don't come back. Eugene Veldsman

South Africa has lost out on a great talent. If Pietersen's talent had been nurtured and he'd been given a message that he had the potential to make it as a pro in South Africa, he may have stayed. Instead, he was perceived as a mediocre cricketer with limited prospects, thereby forcing him to look to peddle his wares elsewhere. Nevertheless, that does not justify his blatantly provocative behaviour on this tour - a diplomat he is not. Paul Mirbach

I am incensed by Telford Vice's article. How dare he insinuate that we South Africans all abuse our domestic workers? I live in South Africa and can assure you that, in general, this is not the case. Working relationships are typically very amicable, but I think Vice may need to look at himself and his relationships when making such statements. He owes us an apology! David Tannahill

I am a South African now living in America. I love watching cricket and in particular South Africa, even though I am now an American citizen. I feel the attitude of Pietersen is totally uncalled for. I don't know what point he is trying to make - I cannot believe that he can wipe out 19 years of his existence. I still reminisce for the good old days but realise things have changed and my kids have a better future ahead of them. I hope Pietersen grows up soon. Linda Potgieter

Pietersen is a brilliant batsman and people just need to accept the fact that he has chosen England over South Africa for whatever reason and accept it. Hassan Bashir