Kick This Racist Out

Ever heard the name Brydan Klein?

I hadn't until I perused a Perth news website reporting that this "Australian" tennis player is being investigated by the ATP for racially abusing an oppenent during during an International match on June 14.

His opponent, Raven Klaasen is a South African.

Nineteen year old Klein (who happens to be an Australian Open junior champion) called Klaasen a "Kaffir".

I might be wrong but with a name like Klein, the man sounds more South African than a dinkum Aussie.

According to Klein, he made "serious error in judgement".

"I deeply regret my serious error in judgment in using this word and I am very sorry for the offence this has caused. "After the match I called my opponent Raven and apologised for what had happened and also apologised for any offence caused to his support team. "This incident is now currently being investigated by the ATP and as such I have been advised not to make any further comment," he said in a statement.

I hope the ATP throws the racket at this man and bans him from carrying a tennis ball. He brought the game in disrepute and knew fully his actions.

One only has to wonder where a teenager born as Apartheid was breathing its last breath could learn willy nilly throw around a term like that in public.

I am so happy he does not wear a South African flag on his shirt and he is better off playing for Australia.

Bitter racists ex-South Africans should stay where they are - be they in Vancouver, Auckland or Perth.

There are many of us staying outside South Africa who love our country.I have met countless South Africans here in Perth who when they talk about SA they say "home" and will never give up their green passports. They stick South African flags on their cars and tattoo the tip of Africa on their chest. They proudly walk around in their Bok Jerseys and stay up until 2.30am to watch a Bafana Bafana game. They have never forgotten about where they come from and name their businesses things like Sabenza and Bafana. They shop in the South African shop and will drive 30km's just buy a packet of nik naks and sip a Fanta grape.

They are fully conscious of the past and agree that South Africa is much better place now than it has ever been.

No one I have met longs for Apartheid. People are under no illusions and understand that many social ills still stalk our country: crime, poverty and HIV/Aids.

But we love our country and will never wrap ourselves in a flag other than the one that flies outside Mandela's house.