Peter de Villiers is Politically Incorrect at the Five Flies Launch of His Memoir
The launch of South African rugby coaching legend’s autobiography, Politically Incorrect, at the Five Flies restaurant was a fabulous event, with many rugby personalities in attendance.
MD of Random House, Steve Connolly, welcomed the crowd and spoke of the great sense of indignation he felt on behalf of the former Springbok coach as he read the book. “We spend our working lives trying to get to the top of our career. Imagine what it’s like as you reach the pinnacle of your working life, you find you’re constantly frustrated and undermined by the very people who put you there in the first place! I started to appreciate what he achieved despite the obstacles put in his way.” Connolly said it was, perhaps, the most honest book he had ever read.
Gavin Rich, the esteemed sports writer who co-authored the book, said he had to do a lot of soul searching before taking on the project and noted how, as an independent rugby journalist and the coach’s “greatest critic”, his reservations about de Villiers put him in an unwelcome pigeonhole.
Rich spoke of the relationship between himself and the de Villiers as cordial but essentially honest. He recalled de Villiers saying to him, “I’m not trying to buy you or get anything from you. You tell the story. You’re completely free to write anything. I quite like the idea that you carry on being my critic!”
He also recalled their meeting soon after the fateful Rugby World Cup quarterfinal. De Villiers, having observed the author’s angry look, asked of the reason behind it. “I am angry. And I’m angry with you,” replied Rich. He said the discussion that ensued about the team selection gave him a terrific insight into a man who had kept the media on their toes with frequently controversial statements.
De Villiers, in his inimitable style, cited a French journalist who said, “You made it beg very quickly…” He said he owed it to the people of the world, especially the black people, to tell the story that have been here forever. If we didn’t allow people to step into our space, this country would still have been ours. We were so genuine that we allowed people to have it for a while, but they couldn’t keep it. Now somebody else is keeping it for a while, and then, when we’re ready, we’ll take it back!”
De Villiers also commented on the initial reactions to the book, which currently holds second position on the Exclusive Books bestseller list. He also reflected on rugby writers who “wanted to tell the truth, but didn’t want to live truthfully.” Taking a dip at his many critics, he said, “Most of them never made their schools’ first team. They want to live their life through my achievements. To them it was heartbreaking seeing this little guy, whose colour is not right, whose head is not right, being in a position where they’ll never be. That kind of jealousy and envy I experienced.” Concluding the launch, de Villiers noted that, over time, he’d learned that it wasn’t what other people said about him but rather how he reacted to what people said that made the course stable.
Liesl Jobson tweeted from the launch using #livebooks:
Steve Connolly welcomes huge crowd, saysbook was 2nd on @exclusivebooks best seller list last week. #livebooks @RandomStruik
— Liesl Jobson (@LieslJobson) June 6, 2012
Connolly reflects on honesty of De Villiers’ narrative in tale of frustration in career as coach. #livebooks @RandomStruik
— Liesl Jobson (@LieslJobson) June 6, 2012
Co-author, Gavin Rich, fabulous rugby writer was “dream to work with”. Thanks him for smiles brought to players. #livebooks @RandomStruik
— Liesl Jobson (@LieslJobson) June 6, 2012
Gavin Rich got call a year ago from Peter’s agent Hilton Houghton about book. Please write Peter de Villiers’ biog. #livebooks @RandomStruik
— Liesl Jobson (@LieslJobson) June 6, 2012
Rich: I was very angry wi PdV after#RugbyWorldCup. Accused him of bad selection, giving away our win. He let me blow off steam. #livebooks
— Liesl Jobson (@LieslJobson) June 6, 2012
Rich: wanted to let public know who Peter was. Who is real de Villiers? Real guy comes through. Not just another rugby story. #livebooks
— Liesl Jobson (@LieslJobson) June 6, 2012
PDV: If you write a book like this you will step on people’s toes. I owe it to black people to tell the story of history.#livebooks
— Liesl Jobson (@LieslJobson) June 6, 2012
Most rugby writers live their dreams through my achievements. Little guy whose colour isn’t right. Experienced envy & jealousy. #livebooks
— Liesl Jobson (@LieslJobson) June 6, 2012
De Villiers: Lived life to full. People wanted me to be politically correct. I’m my own man. Not always right but always honest. #livebooks
— Liesl Jobson (@LieslJobson) June 6, 2012
If you become Stormers coach tomorrow what will you do different? PDV: Stormers is best team right now. Would leave them alone. #livebooks
— Liesl Jobson (@LieslJobson) June 6, 2012
Coach said there’s something bigger than rugby & that’s your family. Would you consider leaving the country? #livebooks
— Liesl Jobson (@LieslJobson) June 6, 2012
PDV finds more racism outside country than here. Japanese tourist want to touch “black people” Will stay to level playing fields. #livebooks
— Liesl Jobson (@LieslJobson) June 6, 2012
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Book details
- Politically Incorrect: The Autobiography by Peter de Villiers, with Gavin Rich
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EAN: 9781770224216
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