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Fresh off graduating from the University of Witwatersrand with a Masters of Management in Entrepreneurship and New Venture Creation, with Distinction, Ashwin Willemse has given his first public interview since the SuperSport saga begun.

Yesterday he sat down with Radio 702’s Eusebius McKaiser, and during a lengthy interview, he explained why he chose not to participate with SuperSport in the broadcaster’s investigation into the incident, amongst other things.

Via Cape Talk, here are some of the quotes that stand out:

It’s legitimate pain…

I understand the magnitude of what has transpired… I understand this moment and what it has started…

Teary-eyed elderly folk meet me on the streets and tell me ‘Thanks for standing up for me’. Young people tell me ‘Thank you’…

I’ve reached out to Nick [Mallet] and Naas [Botha] based on the premise of reconciliation. That same spirit is [the one] with which I would engage all parties involved, including the employer, SuperSport…

I’ve been very clear to SuperSport. I believe this incident was rooted in racism.

Via Sport24, he also confirmed that he was advised by his legal representatives to take the matter to the equality court.

Upon reflection, I have indicated to my legal team that we should honour, and we will to that effect write to the human rights commission that we would honour the submission that SuperSport has indicated that they would now send to the human rights commission, based on the report and the findings of Advocate Maleka and that process… so we will honour that and participate in that process, ensuring we can deal with that matter because I will be allowed to go there and engage it at that appropriate forum. And in that process hopefully restore my dignity.

Willemse also opened up about his journey to Wits graduate, and how he had fought against long odds to get there:

It never crossed my mind that I would walk through the doors of a tertiary institution. No one in my family has ever done that. It was never even a thought as a youngster…

My father’s absence in my life was his presence in my life. The nothingness within which I had to try construct an image, a presence, was a dangerous thing for a young man…

My mother never went to high school. She started out as a cleaner, a domestic. She did it with pride and ownership. She took responsibility…

I can’t reconcile the person I am today with that youngster that was lured. My imagination has now expanded. My understanding of myself has developed.

Yup, he’s come a very long way since his days in The Americans gang.

To watch the interview in full, skip ahead to the 3:50 mark below:

[sources:capetalk&sport24]