How Times Change
Basil D'Oliveira - a black South African - or Cape Coloured to use the apartheid term - who left the country of his birth in 1960 - in a bold attempt to play cricket in England as a professional.
Such a career was beyond his reach or wildest dreams in South Africa - which was a brutal, inhuman and racially segregated country at the time.
Young Basil could even even enjoy a cup of coffee in public with his white friends or peers - if he had any - for fear of being arrested and thrown in jail.
So against all the odds he made a new life and new career in England in the 1960s - where he became so successful that he was selected to play for England - his adopted home - on a tour of South Africa in 1968.
But the apartheid bigots banned Basil from touring with the England team - because he was a non-white man - and to their great credit the cricketing authorities - followed by the whole country - took a firm stand.
If Basil couldn't go - then no one would go - and the anti-apartheid movement stepped up several gears outside of South Africa - which then became a pariah in terms of international sport.
The apartheid laws in South Africa took another 25 years to finally sweep away - with the release of Nelson Mandela from prison - but Basil D'Oliveira played his part too.
Young people who never lived through those times must scratch their heads in disbelief - at the inhumanity and cruelty of such a political system.
But in the early 1960s a fierce struggle for civil rights was also taking place in America - which is only two generations ago.
I supported the Anti-Apartheid Movement when I lived and worked in London during the 1980s - and it was the most wonderful campaign ever - full of people bursting with energy and enthusiasm.
To this day whenever I hear the famous song by The Specials 'Free Nelson Mandela' - the hairs stand up on the back of my neck.
I still recall the day that Mandela finally walked out of his apartheid jail a free man - because it was a day of great partying and celebration.
Sometimes people say that politics doesn't change anything - but it does, you know.
