The South Eastern District Rugby Union’s (SEDRU) long history has been documented for public viewing in an exhibition created by former rugby player Ashwell Adriaan.
The South Eastern District Rugby Union’s (SEDRU) long history has been documented for public viewing in an exhibition created by former rugby player Ashwell Adriaan.
The exhibition, which was launched in December at the Dakawa Arts Centre, showcases the history of the black rugby clubs that formed SEDRU. These include Winter Rose, Lily White and the Swallows rugby clubs respectively.
Adriaan is experienced in setting up museums around the country and some of his works include the Robben Island and Apartheid museums.
He said that rugby history in Grahamstown has never been documented and saw this exhibition as an opportunity to right that wrong.
He said that rugby played a major role in bridging racial divides between Grahamstown and the surrounding communities and that it was a vehicle that was used to mobilise communities in the struggle for democracy.
The exhibition, which was sponsored by the National Heritage Council, took three years to complete, with Adriaan and Phumzile Adam conducting interviews and collecting photographs while Mcebisi Ndletyana wrote the stories.
The exhibition focusses on the history of the clubs by telling the stories that reflect their histories with accompanying photographic images that showcase the people involved.
Some of the people featured in the exhibition include Alistair “Toetie” Coetzee, who went on to become assistant coach of the South African Rugby Football team.
The exhibition also includes a look at the social emlements of the sport and what rugby meant to the different people of Grahamstown. “We used anecdotal stories of what rugby meant to the people of our town,” said Adriaan.
Adriaan said that Makana Municipality has to play a vital role in reviving rugby in Grahamstown. He said that the youth have become disillusioned and that they need something they can focus on and look forward to. "The rivalry between clubs used to be so big and that’s what drew supporters to the games," he said.
"We can only get that back if the rugby fields are in proper conditions. If the municipality properly maintained the Oval rugby field for example, there would be less crimes committed in that area and more games would be played there."
Adriaans said the exhibition has been well-received by the local community. “They enjoyed it very much,” he said. In order to reach a wider audience, the exhibition will be relocated to the Transformation Room at the Albany History Museum at the end of the month and will be open to everyone.
As a continuation of the project, Adriaan is working on a book, which is also funded by the National Heritage Council, that is documenting the history of Grahamstown rugby.
