and the way he speaks out on gbv in south africa completely unprompted! like last year when the team played on freedom day and in his post-match interview he said 'it's 30 years of freedom, congratulations to south africans, but we still know there are many people who are still not free. hopefully the next celebration is the women who are free of gender-based violence.' without any prompting! and at the moment women for change are building a movement called G20 women's shutdown, part of which involves asking everyone to turn their profile photos purple - small but seeing so much purple on instagram and knowing what it means has been so heartening - and i noticed that siya has turned his purple too! i could cry!! this will encourage so many people to do the same. i don't really know how to properly put it into words, but siya makes me feel safe. safe, see, recognised. understood by a leader. and the way he's so in touch with the people! if someone stops him for a chat or a photo, he always gives them time, and without fail, one of the first (often the first) thing he said in post-match interviews is acknowledging and thanking the springbok fans who got tickets and went to watch the game, and those who supported from home, and says how it's them he plays for. i don't think well ever have someone like this again, and to be a springbok fan while he is my captain is truly an incredible honour, that my children and grandchildren will know about. as a comment i saw on instagram said: it's so beautiful that we live in a world where siya could happen.
