



Unhealthy sporting cultures, in the locker room and on the field, need to be challenged in South Africa.

Eusebius McKaiser hosted a discussion to explore the aspects of sport, culture and society that need to be changed.

Read: What Hashim Amla's fascinating story illuminates about South African society

Sports writer and journalist Antoinette Muller say the mob mentality and culture of machoism is found mostly in team sports.

She says unhealthy cultures in various sports aren't driven by competitiveness but are rather rooted in problematic social norms.

She adds that sporting codes involving both men and women can be aggressive or stigmatise vulnerability or mental illness.

Sport is an extension or reflection of life. It influences many things, Antoinette Muller, Sports writer and journalist

Author Sibusiso Mjikeliso says that competitiveness - even displayed by supporters - can erupt into aggressive behaviours on the field and in the stadium stands.

It really speaks to a male culture that finds it difficult to accept defeat and that has gotten away with crossing the line on plenty of occasions in other accepts of life. Sibusiso Mjikeliso, Author of Being A Black Springbok, The Thando Manana Story

He says men's sport, in particular, must break the culture of demeaning and derogatory language used for sportspeople who don't conform.

We need to try and change the way we speak to each other in a sporting context, in a way that doesn't manifest into a bigger problem. Sibusiso Mjikeliso, Author of Being A Black Springbok, The Thando Manana Story

Meanwhile, sports broadcaster Philasande Sixaba says coaches, "war songs", language, rituals, boot-camps such as Kamp Staaldraad and sledging (insulting opponents) all contribute to an unhealthy sports culture.

According to Sixaba, sports have become devoid of emotion and empathy from a school level.

He adds that male sports dangerously focus on the mental disintegration of other players.

The anger that's associated with achieving a certain result is always the problem. Philasande Sixaba, Sports Broadcaster - Primedia Broadcasting

It's rooted in the old boys' culture of aggression. By the time yo enter the pfoesional sporting fray, you don't know any other way. Everything in "hard, hard, hard" and and if you have mental weakness, you are high.;y likey to get prayed upon. Philasande Sixaba, Sports Broadcaster - Primedia Broadcasting

The experts say investing in awareness, coach education and sports psychology could be the starting point for change.

Listen to the discussion on The Eusebius McKaiser Show: