Muditambi Ravele, chairperson of Cricket South Africa's (CSA) Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion (DEI) committee, has stressed the continued importance of transformation targets in South African cricket. Speaking ahead of a DEI indaba in Pretoria, Ravele highlighted the need for greater representation within the Proteas team.
The indaba aims to review the resolutions made during the 2018 Transformation Indaba and evaluate the progress in the cricket ecosystem over the past five years. The conversation around transformation was reignited following the selection of only one black African player in the Proteas squad for the 2022 T20 World Cup, with a total of six players of color, marking the lowest diversity in a South African squad for an ICC event since 2016.
Ravele emphasized that transformation is about more than just race; it's about inclusion, equality, diversity, and creating a sense of belonging. She pointed out that while the ultimate goal is to reach a point where such targets are unnecessary, the current pace of change necessitates their continued use.
Looking ahead to the 2027 World Cup, which South Africa will host, Ravele underscored the importance of fielding a team that truly represents the nation's diversity. She insisted that transformation efforts must continue to ensure that the team mirrors the society it represents.