SPORT
Three interrelated factors have kept working conditions for golf caddies unchanged for over a century: racism, narrow self-interest and fear.
Let me briefly discuss each of these factors.
First, the golf industry is still predominantly controlled and dominated by white men.
Only two of the country’s approximately 400 golf courses have predominantly black leadership and management – the CMR Golf Club and the Soweto Country Club – both located in Johannesburg.
As I explained in my 2022 book Unshackled, caddies are treated as casual workers and therefore as cheap labor.
They have no rights to any benefits such as pensions, health insurance or unemployment insurance. Golf associations know full well that this situation will have to change at some point, but they are determined to hold on to it for as long as possible.
READ: Book review | Unshackled: My journey from the township to the boardroom
I am convinced that the main reason for this sad state of affairs is deep-rooted racism.
If the caddies were white, they would undoubtedly have had permanent jobs for a long time and would enjoy all the usual social benefits.
But unfortunately they are black, and the white boards and management deliberately ignore this injustice.
Second, we should address narrow self-interest.
The players, of whom around 20 percent are now black, benefit from the minimum transfer fees set by the clubs.
While some players treat their caddies humanely and pay significantly more than the minimum amount, many happily stick to the minimum.
When caddies become sick or injured and can no longer work, they have no income and must struggle to survive.
Club management would balk at the prospect of working under uncertain income conditions and without benefits. Yet they don’t seem to understand and are often baffled when caddies demand equal treatment. I really cannot understand this willful blindness.
Third, we want to address fear.
When I ask black players at golf clubs across the country why they accept or tolerate such inhumane treatment of caddies, they say they are afraid of causing trouble because their companies have close ties to the clubs and this would get them into trouble at work.
On the one hand, this attitude may be understandable, but on the other hand, it smacks of cowardice.
If our political leaders were afraid of being hurt, imprisoned or even killed, we would still be suffering under the yoke of colonialism and apartheid.
READ: Warring parties agree to ceasefire for the benefit of golf caddies
Having been at the forefront of the fight for change in caddies’ working conditions for some seven years now, I fear that the change that is ultimately inevitable is unfortunately still a long way off.
– Van Rooyen is the founder of Finding the Fair Way Foundation – the organization that campaigns for better working conditions for golf caddies.
