Aussie visa debacle in historical perspective

BY ITS handling of Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic’s visa status, the Australian government has managed to eclipse the international scorn the Vorster government’s apartheid policies reaped for its handling of a visa for top Japanese jockey, Sueo Masuzawa in February 1970.

The Vorster government initially refused to grant Masuzawa a visa to enable him to ride in races at the Scottsville and Germiston turf clubs. But after appeals were made by trade organisations and the racing clubs, the government promptly relented.

However, the Japanese racing authority rejected the visa and Masuzawa said he would never go to South Africa again, even if he was invited.