Kamahl is furious that author Phillip Adams branded him an ‘Honorary White’ in Twitter fight over Don Bradman’s legacy

Showbiz legend Kamahl is furious that left-wing author Phillip Adams branded him an “Honorary White” in a Twitter stoush over the legacy of Sir Donald Bradman.

Australian showbiz veteran Kamahl has defended Sir Donald Bradman after an ABC broadcaster claimed the cricket legend had made him an “Honorary White”.

In response to a tweet from ABC National presenter Phillip Adams asking if Bradman had once “refused” to meet then-South African leader Nelson Mandela, Kamahl said the late cricket icon had been very welcoming to the Malaysian-born singer in the 1980s.

Singer Kamahl at home with letters from cricketer Don Bradman. Picture: File

“Why do you think the greatest ever sportsman welcomed me at his home from August 1988 every year, till he left us in 2001? He also left me letters he wrote every year. Why Phillip?” the former Adelaide-based singer wrote on Twitter.

Adams replied within hours, telling Kamahl he “clearly made you an Honorary White”.

“Whereas one of the most towering political figures of the 20th century was deemed unworthy of Bradman’s approval,” he wrote.

Tweets from Kamahl and Phillip Adams over Sir Donald Bradman. Picture: Twitter

Tweets from Kamahl to Phillip Adams over Donald Bradman. Picture: Twitter

Tweets from Kamahl to Phillip Adams over Donald Bradman. Picture: Twitter

The term has been used over the years to describe minorities who have been granted some of the rights and privileges of whites.

Kamahl, who arrived in Adelaide from Malaysia as a teenager in 1953, said Adams’ tweet was “disgusting”.

“Daring to suggest that Sir Donald Bradman invited me to his home in August 1988 as a ‘token white’ is disgusting at best. You may be White, but oh your Soul is Black! It’s ironic to note your vocabulary is Excellent. Why are people so unkind?” he tweeted back.

Adams then responded with his own tweet: “I campaigned for homosexual law reform in the 60’s. Worked in the Treaty campaign before most of you were born. Fought for refugees. Have spent my life fighting bigotry in all its forms. Hence I was awarded the highest relevant honour – the Human Rights Medal. Apologies accepted.”

I campaigned for homosexual law reform in the 60’s.Worked in the Treaty campaign before most of you were born.Fought for refugees.Have spent my life fighting bigotry in all its forms. Hence I was awarded the highest relevant honour- the Human Rights Medal. Apologies accepted

— Phillip Adams (@PhillipAdams_1) December 28, 2022

Singer Kamahl with friend Sir Donald Bradman in 1988.

Media identity Phillip Adams. Picture: Julie Adams

Kamahl completed his studies at King’s College, now Pembroke College, and was a talented cricketer himself.

One of Australia’s greatest ever sportsmen, Bradman has come under fire this week after a 1975 letter addressed to Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser emerged.

In the letter, the late sporting icon urged the new prime minister to scrap regulations on capital and warned him of the power of unions.

The letter sparked an outcry, including from broadcaster Adams, who called Bradman a “right-wing nutjob”.

But others have leapt to the former captain’s defence.

Nationals MP and former deputy prime minister Michael McCormack said that “un-Australian lefties” would want Sir Donald’s statue torn down next.

Federal Liberal Party vice-president Teena McQueen told Sky News host Rita Panahi: “It’s absolutely disgraceful that they are now trying to cancel one of the greatest Australians. It’s unbelievable.”

His reputation helped pull Australia through the Great Depression of the 1930s, and his record 99.94 batting average is still the most iconic statistic in a game ruled by numbers.