The Beast is safely entrenched in SA rugby.
In 2010...we were deeply concerned about this and I wrote to Arch Bishop Tutu, Francois Pienaar and Madiba about this...not really expecting much but to my surprise I got positive help and feedback from 2 of them...even a phone call from Francois Pienaar who encouraged me to follow it up with Desmond Tutu...saying he was the right person for this...Madiba's secretary replied to but she that was not well and she also suggested that the Arch Bishop is the best course.
I followed it up with the bishop and later we heard that he had spoken to the minister and that Tendai was granted the right to play for SA.
I do not really know if it was this that made the difference but I warm reception from all.
We all love the Beast and he'll never know that...I was just doing my 2cents for SA rugby and a player I admire so much.
-----Original
Message-----
FromSent: 04 June 2010 10:32 AM
To: 'Rhona Langan'
Subject: RE: Francois Pienaar...Tendai Mtawariri
Many
thanks Rhonda…my contact number is 031 765 or cell 072925
I
got a reply from Bishop Tutu…who is prepared to endorse this issue but I must
do the leg work (suggested using the media) but I am not sure how to go about
this and need direction.
It
would be an honour to speak to Francois about this.
Thank
you,
Kind
regards,
Michael.
-----Original Message-----
From: Rhona Langan [mailto:rhona@asem.tv]
Sent: 04 June 2010 10:22 AM
ToSubject: FW: Francois Pienaar...Tendai Mtawariri
Francois
has some thoughts and would like to contact you, please forward your contact
number.
Many
thanks
Rhona
From: Rhona
Langan
Sent: 31 May 2010 01:02 PM
To: '
Subject: RE: Francois Pienaar...Tendai Mtawariri
Dear
Michael,
Would you
be so kind as to forward me your phone number.
Many
thanks
Rhona
Langan
Executive
PA
For &
on Behalf of Mr Francois Pienaar
Tel: 021
701 2474/3
Fax: 086
572 5383
Cell: 082
379 1679
Email:
rhona@asem.tv
Block E,
First Floor
The
Terraces, Steenberg
Office Park
Steenberg Boulevard, Tokai
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-----Original
Message-----
From:
Michael [GivenGain contact page] [
Sent: 26 May 2010
04:30 PM
To:
Make-A-Difference Foundation
Subject:
Francois Pienaar...Tendai Mtawariri
[This
message was sent from your GivenGain contact page]
Dear
Francois,
Please
forgive me for using this site to write to you on an unrelated matter to "MAD"
as I do not obviously know your address.
It is a
matter where I feel you might be able to help or endorse or advise as we all
have such great admiration and respect for you.
We want to
start a petition against "Beast Tendai Mtawariri's dilemma (see below as I
have written to both Desmond Tutu and Madiba for guidance and help for an issue
that encompasses most SA rugby fans).
See
below...not necessary to repeat it.
Warmest
regards,
Michael
Our
beloved Madiba,
I wrote to
Archbishop Tutu on this matter that concerns multitudes of our countrymen that
want Tendai restored to his rightful place and honour and would like to appeal
to you as well to use your esteemed influence in high places to endorse this
issue.
Can you
assist and direct me.
Warmest
regards,
Michael
-----Original
Message-----
From: Sent:
26 May 2010 01:32 PM
To: 'mpilo@iafrica.com'
Subject: Championing
the cause of Tendai Mtawariri's Rugby
career
Importance:
High
Dear
Arch-Bishop Desmond Tutu,
As a proud
South African and rugby supporter I would like to appeal to your support and
championing the cause of one of the most loved and respected players in SA
rugby…Tendai Mtawarira…affectionately known as “Beast�.
You no
doubt are aware of his plight in that recently he has been unfairly removed
from our beloved Springbok side to play against Wales…and to summarize the
history;
Although
Mtawarira is fully eligible to play for South Africa under IRB
rules, his Zimbabwean nationality has been a sticking point more than once in
his career. South African has a policy of only allowing its nationals to represent
the country, although it has been somewhat flexible; the South African Rugby
Union officially cleared him to play with the Boks in the November 2009 Tests,
after receiving clearance from the country's sports minister Mr M Stofile.
More
recently, his citizenship has become a minor political issue in the country. In
January 2010, Buthana Komphela, an ANC member of the National Assembly
and chair of its sports committee, publicly threatened to charge the SARU with
"illegally" fielding Mtawarira and have him deported to Zimbabwe. Shortly
after the threat, Mtawarira told the Sunday Independent,
I am
a South African at heart. I love this country. It has become my home. It is
everything to me. Wearing the green and gold of the Springboks is a huge honour
for me. That jersey is part of me. The green and gold flows in my blood. I feel
just as much pride as any other guy in the team.
As I am a
great admirer of your ability to champion the cause of injustices and put
matters right I appeal to you, your Reverence…to assist me and endorse the
plight of this black man who we whites so dearly love and respect…he himself
through his character and manner is himself a type of peace-maker and uniter of
all peoples in this country.
I would
like to ask you if your would endorse a petition which could attract multitudes
of signatures appealing for his right to play for this country and to live here
as there is no future in his own country Zimbabwe for a man of his outstanding
and exceptional playing skills…we do not want to lose him to Australia or
perhaps England or France where no doubt he will be forced to further his
career if he cannot fulfill it here.
I trust
you will assist me in how to go about this and I am too thinking of pleading
this cause to our beloved Madiba and rugby hero Francois Pienaar.
Warmest
regards,
Michael
