Having been inspired by the African Proverb which says a "Lion which roars does not catch a game", Changa "The Great" had to "walk through the lion's den" and comes out carrying few of their cubs. It was a beautify golf day at Makhado Golf Club. Over 60 players participated in its Open.
All went well with minor glitches in between play. In hole #16 on the 2nd round (18 holes), a player behind us through his ball (with a driver) while we were waiting for the green to clear. My marker had to take a sudden dive. Those players had caddies to warn them that the field is not cleared. It was not for the 1st time they did that but we thought it was an honest error which just needed an apology. When we warned them, another player through his ball with a driver but it never reached our position. So we concluded that this is a deliberate provocation.
Changa "The Great" decided to walk towards the ball that missed us, pick it and throw it into the deep rough. By that time, the player was within 100 meters and saw exactly my intentions. He insulted Changa with all words an Afrikaans speaking person can say but stayed cleared of calling Changa a Kaffer. At least Changa didn't hear him calling him Kaffer but Julius Malema's name was repeatedly mentioned.
They grouped and asked who threw the ball and Changa turned to respond. It was me Changa "The Great". I proceeded with the play and they continued to insult Changa. They went to look for their ball and I don't know what happened to his original ball and what rule they applied.
Fast forward, four balls ahead of us joined with 4 balls ahead of them because of backlog and it was dark already. We waited and the balls that insulted Changa had to stay next to the green until the tee box was cleared.
On the tee-box of hole #18th, a gentleman of Goliath statue approached our 4 balls and asked who threw the ball. "Its me changa "The Great", I responded. He asked about what happened to golf air-ticket and being a gentleman. Changa only asked his name and he said "I am Jack". He verbally harassed Changa and Changa never answered. While Jack was harassing Changa, the guy that missed us with his ball is busy shouting up and down that he will blecksem Changa but never ever come closer to 15 meters range of Changa.
At the Club house, Changa went to inform the Manager of the Event. All Changa said was "I have started a fight in the field. They will come and report. Once they have done so, Changa will give his version".
After the Prize giving, Changa went to the manager and told him that he will write a formal complain to the LGU (Limpopo Golf Union). The Manager said don't worry, they have already sorted the matter. Changa insisted that he will in any case still write a formal complain. The Manager responded with an anger by saying that I don't need your email. I got nothing to do with it. At least those are the words that I could register in my mind. He closed by saying that he will write to my Club. Changa ended the talk by saying that's fine, you write your complain to my Club and I will write my Complain to the LGU.
Observe this space because it is just a beginning of unsettling the privilege without using force but Play the Game according to its Rule. I may be wrong or right but the end results will be a victory for Black golfers who are subjected to the same daily.
Also inspired by an Ancient Chinese Proverb which says "It is only when a mosquito lands on your testicle that you realize there is always a way to resolve problems without using violence". Tomorrow a formal complain will be registered for (1) the Player who missed Changa and his marker, (2) a Marshall who harassed Changa, and (3) a Manager who organised the event.
I do so not have intention to harm any but to educate and eliminate behaviour and characters that undermine sportsmanship.
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