And all the good things and the bad things that maybe – the original version of this song was a favourite of my son Philip when he was a toddler and I can still see him with a Nappy and T-Shirt on, bottle in hand, clinging to the lounge table as he bopped, jived and waved baby formula in the air.
Just why Philip’s antics to the song make me think of the Luke Watson haters will become apparent.
Consider if you will a normal day around the braai fire in Port Elizabeth – you have the ‘die hard I won’t support the Southern Kings until the Watson’s leave’ fans (please note Alan Solomons, I said fans for these guys as they do need to be plugged in to a bottle of brandy/whisky/rum in order to blow hot air), you also have the die hard Kings supporters and the wavering supporters of other teams.
What tickles me pink is that as soon as the power (brandy/rum/whisky) levels rise then the invective against the Kings begins to come out with Cheeky and Luke being judged with no chance of defending themselves in person. Most of the invective still revolves around Luke’s “puke on the Springbok jersey” remark, always delivered out of a mottled screwed up piggy eyed face with a dose of flying spittle thrown in for good measure, whilst the speaker bops, jives and throws his drink in the air. Not quite the best way to win an argument I will concede. Of course the argument always revolves around how ‘sacred’ the Springbok jersey is and that the urge to get rid of a little bit of vomit on to it is the most heinous of crimes requiring a gazillion Our Fathers and singing of Die Stem whilst walking across coals made from the diesleboom of an Ox Wagon.
When these ‘gentlemen’ are finished cursing the family of Watson and I have found a bath towel to dry my face I always ask them what they think of Nelson Mandela and 99% of the time they get all misty eyed in the hope of meeting and embracing him. Then I remind them that they have forgiven Nelson Mandela of far greater ‘crimes’ than ‘thinking of dribbling a little vomit on a Springbok Jersey’ and the witty comeback always goes so; “Ja, but what Luke did is different!”
Of course it was different, dummy, he was honest about his feelings, you may not have liked that but our country was built on honesty and respect not on little cry babies like you who would belittle a man for being honest.
Don’t you think it is now time to allow Luke and Cheeky to enjoy a little time in the sun?
Alan Straton
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agree!
Totally agree!
Agree….but could I be so bold so as to add. That Luke Watson said that not because he wanted to vomit on all Springbok jerseys, but on the one he was given. Because Jake White and the rest of the squad, particular the senior members, made it openly know that they did not regard Watson as a Springbok and they were forced to pick him. This particular jersey represented Watson’s rejection by the current players and coach. If anything Luke Watson wanting to puke on the jersey, showed how much he valued and recognised the honour of being a Springbok, not how much he rejected it…..it is definitely quite the opposite!
Come on – there’s no comparing any Watson to Madiba.
It is the principle at play here – fair play and forgiveness.