Cricket South Africa removes HD Ackerman as the host of annual awards ceremony

Cricket South Africa has removed former South Africa batsman HD Ackerman as the host of the annual awards ceremony. The governing body on Friday (July 15) confirmed that Ackerman was removed due to the comments he made on Facebook recently, about relocating to Australia in September for safety purposes.

“In view of certain negative comments on social media following HD’s Facebook post that he was leaving SA for Australia, we have decided to avoid any further potential negative comments around HD hosting the live CSA Awards. We decided to replace him and have no further comments to make in this regard,” CSA spokesperson Altaaf Kazi told Sport24.

“It is with a heavy heart that I have to let all my friends know that Kerryn, James, Tannah and I will be moving to Perth, Australia in September,” Ackerman said in a Facebook post on July 13. “It has caused many sleepless nights and even more tears but it is a decision that we have reached as a family and feel it is the best one we can make for our little ones at this time.”

“I hope that the decision we are making is the right one for us, and I truly hope that South Africa does go on to reach her true potential.”

The 43-year-old, who had played four Tests and 220 first-class matches, expressed his disappointment on Facebook again after receiving the axe.

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“Wow, just been pulled off hosting the cricket South Africa Awards on the 26th because a few people on social media feel my move to Australia is because im racist. Forget the fact my wife’s sister had just moved to Brisbane, and that my wife’s parents have just moved to Perth, or that I got a job offer in Perth that included a school bursary for my son. Those reasons are not good enough.wow wow wow [sic].”

CSA is yet to announce his replacement for the awards ceremony which will be held later this month.