The race to transform: sport in post-apartheid South Africa

Abstract

The Race to Transform: Sport in post-apartheid South Africa takes stock of sport in South Africa, and provides a pioneering exploration of how sport reflects matters such as enduring inequality, racial transformation and the making (or otherwise) of a common South African destiny.

To date, much sports writing has been celebratory, paying attention to 'big' moments like the winning of the Rugby World Cups, and hosting the Soccer World Cup in 2010. With the lens focused on national teams, there has been less emphasis on how South Africa's transition has impacted on township sport. This book provides a view on the relationship between elite and grassroots sport in the context of growing economic disparities and the emergence of an influential black middle and super-rich class.

Divided into chapters delving into a diverse set of sporting codes, The Race to Transform enlivens and transcends the technical debates and contestations around transformation that have become such a prominent part of sports discourse. The contributors, a mix of activist intellectuals and those directly involved in the game, outline an agenda for both theory and practice in the ongoing debate about sport and transformation in South Africa.

Every sports lover who realises the power of politics and economics over his or her beloved game must read this book. Written in a style that is accessible and interesting, it is essential reading also for administrators, social scientists and people with an interest in social change.