Must not suggest that Africans live in villages

Commentator made a probable guess in the absence of precise  information

FORMER Australian Test [cricket] captain Ian Chappell has come under fire for a comment that has offended South African viewers watching the first Test at the WACA.

Chappell was commenting on play for Channel 9 when South African rising star Kagiso Rabada skittled the Australian middle order and snared a five-wicket haul in his side’s 177 run win.

Chappell was full of praise for the talented 21-year-old and joined fellow commentator Ian Healy in labelling the quick [bowler] a future superstar of the game. He said he was stunned by Rabada’s raw talent and pace at such a young age.

Unfortunately, Chappell didn’t leave it at that.  When Healy asked him how Rabada could have developed such speed in his bowling, Chappell replied: “You’d have to ask all the batsman in his village”.

In reality, Rabada grew up in Johannesburg where he attended the prestigious St Stithians Boys College. His father is a neurosurgeon.

The comment did not go unnoticed on social media with Chappell’s comments labelled racist.

Among those to take exception was respected South African radio commentator Neil Manthorp who tweeted: ‘So Jo'burg doesn't qualify as a village? Staggering, isn't it? Surprised they didn't ask who was looking after his herd while he's here.”

SOURCE