The news that the NBA will stage its first-ever exhibition game on the continent in South Africa later this year comes amid a wave of anti-immigrant violence that is engulfing the republic.
At roughly the same time Wednesday that the league announced a matchup to be played this August in Johannesburg, President Jacob Zuma vowed to deal with the “underlying issues,” including a jobless rate that hovers around 25%, that have contributed to attacks on foreigners.
The NBA didn’t comment on the attacks, which have left at least seven people dead and forced thousands of immigrants from Malawi, Zimbabwe and elsewhere to seek shelter in camps.
But Fikile Mbalula, South Africa’s minister of sport, who attended the NBA’s announcement, condemned the xenophobia and mistreatment of migrants.
“We have here in South Africa coexisted with people who have oppressed us for more than 300 years,” said Mbalula. “And yet there are criminals who can’t tolerate their own blood, and their own brothers and sisters. And we say, as South Africa, not in our name.”
The exhibition is slated to feature a contest between a squad composed of African players and an outfit made up of players from the U.S. and elsewhere. Luol Deng, a forward for the Miami Heat who was born in South Sudan, will captain Team Africa. Chris Paul of the L.A. Clippers will skipper Team World.