Anele Mdoda Backs Tatjana Smith Amid Defection Backlash

Media personality Anele Mdoda has expressed support for Tatjana Smith following the swimmer’s defection to the Netherlands.

On Tuesday, 10 November, Smith – who represented South Africa at the Olympics Games, where she has won four medals to date – announced on social media that she would no longer compete in the sport as a South African citizen.

Due to a combination of financial pressures and a dispute with Swimming South Africa over prize money, the 29-year-old athlete – who is of Dutch descent – will now represent the Netherlands in swimming competitions.

Smith’s switch of allegiance has since divided South Africans. Fortunately for her, Mdoda is fully in her corner.

“What you are not going to do is call a sportsperson who got this here country 4 Olympic medals unpatriotic. Nah [sic],” she tweeted on Wednesday, 11 November. “Thank you for your service Tatiana Smith. We are sorry we failed you sisi [sic]. I personally will still root for you even if you are not carrying our flag. Yhini le.”

Swimming South Africa has yet to comment publicly on Smith’s news.

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