Political rivals on a common stage

The uniting spirit of sport was highlighted in a rather unique way at the opening ceremony of the IPL II here on Saturday. As the festivities got under way after the two opening games at the Newlands Stadium, the IPL brought together onto one stage political adversaries who would probably never have been seen sharing the same platform at the same time just four days before the general election here. South African President and ANC Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe, Western Cape Provincial Premier Lynn Brown, also from the ANC, and Helen Zille, leader of the official opposition Democratic Alliance and also the Mayor of the city, all appeared together, even as their parties were hosting separate rallies.