Motlanthe slams Semenya’s humiliation

By Ofentse Mokae
21 August 2009

Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe says the unfair treatment of South Africa’s gold medallist Caster Semenya proves that intolerances have become the norm worldwide.

Mothlanthe spoke at an HIV summit in Kempton Park, Gauteng this morning.

He says he is extremely disappointed that the 800-metres world champion is being subjected to gender tests to establish whether she is in fact female.

Mothlanthe hopes Semenya’s ordeal will challenge people to become more open minded.

18 year old Semenya who hails from Polokwane in Limpopo won the 800 metres at the World Athletics Champions in Berlin, where she was awarded with a gold medal.

The International Association of Athletics organisation embarked on gender testing three weeks ago.

The news broke about her gender testing after she posted a world leading time of 1 minute, 56.72 seconds at the African Junior champions in Bambous, Mauritius.

Earlier COSATU and the ANC Youth League congratulated the sport science student on her achievements at the tournaments.

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