OUTSPOKEN radio personality Anele Mdoda has taken aim at Audi South Africa, asking why Caster Semenya was not given a car.
Anele’s comments come in the wake of a raging debate about Olympic gold medalist Wayde van Niekerk’s surprise gift: a brand new Audi R8 worth R1,8 million.
Wayde was welcomed home from the Rio Olympics by a frenzy of fans at OR Tambo International, where his flashy new ride was also waiting for him.
When news of Wayde’s gift emerged on social media, it quickly became a talking point. Some posters questioned why Caster wasn’t given the same gift for her accomplishments at the Olympic games.
Adding her voice to the debate, Anele called out Audi SA for sexism, giving a car to a male medallist, and not to a female achiever.
Audi SA responded to Anele, in a statement that Wayde was presented with the car because he was chosen to be an ambassador for the brand before he left for Rio.
The car company went on to add that Wayde, Cameron van der Burgh and Anaso were chosen as ambassadors for Audi before the Olympics. Then Audi explained that the R8 was part of a conditional deal it had made with Wayde. The company promised him a fancy top-of-the-range model – but only on condition that he broke the world record at Rio.
But Anele doesn’t seem convinced.
In a string of spicy tweets, she went on to share her opinion about women being overlooked in sports, while male athletes get all the attention.
She posted: Truth of the matter is women don’t get the same love.
Neither Anele nor Caster could be reached for comment.
