The Level Playing Field

‘The real challenge to apartheid’s racist sport laws was instigated by Pietermaritzburg’s mixed race Aurora Cricket Club in 1973. The regime’s Sports Minister, Dr Piet Koornhof did everything in his power  to persuade them to abandon this project. However the members persevered and triumphed. In this process the hypocrisy of white sports administrators and its sportsmen was totally exposed. The book on the Aurora Cricket Club is a most interesting read in many ways. Besides exposing the machinations of the apartheid government and excuses of its apologised, it explores the evolution of cricket with many interesting and inspiring anecdotes. Aurora confronted government stupidity and challenged the mindless orthodoxies and political correctnesss of the age. There are further compelling reasons why all South Africans, young and old, black and white, should read this book.’
Sam Ramsammy
Member – International Olympic Committee
Former Chairman – South African Non-Racial Olympic Committee

ABOUT THE AUTHORS
 
CHRISTOPHER NICHOLSON has practised as a human rights lawyer, assisting victims of apartheid before majority rule was won in 1994. His efforts were recognised with two awards and was appointed a High Court judge in 1995. He has written five books.
 
MIKE HICKSON lectured for many years at the now University of KwaZulu-Natal. He served as  an administrator in SACOS-affiliated bodies throughout the 1980s, and was elected President of the Maritzburg & Districts Cricket Union in 1989. He was a member of delegations negotiating unity with white-controlled cricket and was President of the unified Maritzburg Cricket Association for 12 years. He was a member of the KZN Cricket Union Executive throughout the 1990s.