Golfer Gary Player is accused of making another controversial statement that has irked many South Africans.
This comes a week after the 90-year-old sports star called on government to ban transformative legislation like Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) and land expropriation.
GARY PLAYER MAKES ‘TONE-DEAF’ STATEMENT
A week after making headlines over his comments criticising BEE, Gary Player found himself doing it all over again.
On his social media platforms, Gary appeared to promote a South African tourist hotspot, a private game reserve located within the Kruger National Park.
The 90-year-old and his partner were special guests of the owners.
“My dream is for all of you to come see this place, deep in the bush, but pure luxury”, he shared.
The following line, however, did not bode well with social media users.
He continued: “When you arrive here, the African staff welcomes you with indigenous songs to set the mood. It’s incredibly special and pure bliss.”
On the X platform, many South African users questioned the meaning of his words.
@MazwiZuma: “African staff.. what does that even mean?”
@d_peekayL: “The ‘African staff’? Why not just ‘staff’?”
@SA_Godfather1: “Would have read better as ‘staff welcomes you with indigenous AFRICAN songs’. Word placement here was important”.
@NtsikiMR: “Not the people? But the African staff? You are truly shameless”.
WHAT DID HE SAY ABOUT BEE?
A week ago, Gary Player courted controversy when he called on government to abolish laws like the Expropriation Bill and BEE.
The nonagenarian also voiced his concerns that both his properties and his businesses could suffer as a result.
He told the media: “Introducing a bill, no compensation…I brought back hundreds of millions of Rands to South Africa. I bought farms and property. They could come in and take it. That means they’re stealing it. So we are discouraging people to invest. We’ve got to get rid of that law…And you’ve got to get rid of this BEE system.
Gary Player stated that authorities “weren’t listening” to him.
He added, “People are not prepared to come here and invest money. We’ve got to have systems like the rest of the world. Where you encourage people to come and invest.”
