Sport: Race Against Racism

When British Distance Star Gordon Pirie was invited to compete in a track meet at Salisbury, Southern Rhodesia, the most logical Rhodesian to race against him was Yotham Muleya, a 19-year-old apprentice garage mechanic who earlier this year had set a national three-mile record. But Muleya is a Negro. This was enough for South Africa-born William DuBois. a dedicated white supremacist. As chairman of the Southern Rhodesian Amateur Athletic and Cycling Union, he forbade Muleya’s competing.

Snapped DuBois: “Mister whatever-his-bloody-name-is—this Kaffir—has never even sent in a formal application. And if he had, it would have been turned down.” Reminded of Muleya’s record, he added scornfully, “We do not count Kaffirs’ performances.”

DuBois’ remarks set off a storm of indignation in Britain, and the embarrassed Rhodesian Athletic Association overruled DuBois and declared Muleya would be allowed to compete. Their decision was not wholehearted. Before the race, Muleya was pointedly left out when the other competitors were presented to the Governor. Then the race started. Running barefooted in the muddy going, Muleya clung to Pine’s shoulder like a dark shadow. After seven laps he lengthened his stride, passed Pirie, pulled away to win by 100 yds.

Muleya was suddenly a hero. Joyful spectators, black and white alike, bore him from the track in triumph on their shoulders. Trumpeted one white tobacco farmer: “He may be black, but, by God, he’s a Rhodesian.”

White officials presented Briton Pirie with a plaque to mark his visit. Brusquely Pirie turned and handed it over to Muleya. Said Negro Leader Stanlake Samkange: “Muleya did more for good race relations in under a quarter of an hour than hundreds of twittering interracialists have achieved in the last five years.” Even Bill DuBois was chastened. Said he ruefully: “It was a great race. The day of multiracial athletics is here, I’m afraid.”