Caster Semenya is a hero, to many in this country. She was able to demonstrate to the millions of South Africans living in villages that their surroundings do not define where they are going. She rose above all circumstances to win gold in the IAAF world championships, and for that we are very proud of her. What soon followed was what media experts call “a media frenzy” when reports were leaked by the Australian media that she had apparently failed a gender test.
As an African I am deeply saddened by what soon transpired after that, it seemed like everyone that had been meant to protect Semenya had failed. The South African Media alleged that the president of the ASA Leornard Chuene had lied about not being aware of the controvercy that could arise if Semenya took part in the championships. Chuene came under fire from most corners of society for not being decisive enough in regards to the Semenya issue. But when I personally look at the issue I feel that Chuene was in a lose lose situation had he taken the advise that he was given to pull Semenya out of the championships (even though the evidence at that time was inconclusive), Chuene would be under fire from the same South African media for not giving the athlete an opportunity. I can imagine bill posters in our streets calling for chuene’s head for pulling out a star athlete with inconclusive evidence.
I am not condoning the fact that Chuene lied to the public of South Africa by stating that he had not been informed that there was some controvercy around Semenya. Lies are unacceptable aspecially from leaders of organisations, the other issue that worried me is that, the South Africa media invaded Semenya’s privacy. President Jacob Zuma made a very good point when he asked the question ‘ how can we as a country that prides itself in upholding the constitutional rights of every citizen, allow the media to compromise the right to privacy of Caster Semenya?. There are some things the media have to respect as being private and I for one fail to see how the media in telling the whole country about Caster Semenya’s gender test results, help the situation. There is something called doctor , patient privacy we should never see a day ever again in this country when someones privacy is bridged just on the basis of getting a good story.
Although the media reports have turned the triumph of caster semenya into a circus so let this be a lesson to us as a country that we need to respect each others right to privacy.
Senzo Mzila
