SAFA is currently going through some of the most revealing and testing times. It faces revolt from both its leadership and from outside its leadership ranks. We see stories in the news papers, leaked reports and letters and sometimes catch the stories from the insiders. It is not too clear what drives all this, or what the intentions are, but the situation is currently dire that SAFA is now labelled as “embattled” by the press.
We have seen a report from the Deputy President of SAFA, Mr. Gay Mokoena, who from November 2019 until 15 April 2020 has been acting as the SAFA CEO. He mas made some allegations again the President of SAFA, Mr. Danny Jordan. Most of his allegations are about the contravention of the SAFA Constitution and Policies by the President. This report was meant to be consumed by the National Executive Committee members, and was leaked to the media. Everybody now, including the media itself have their own opinions about what must happen, except the SAFA NEC.
We have also seen a letter crafted by a collective of clubs and individuals accusing SAFA of not running the second and third division leagues properly, including not paying grants and transport fees for more than three years. They recommend that these leagues be run a PSL and that there be a government led probe into the running of these leagues by SAFA, particularly point to the management of the funds from the sponsors. Again, this letter which is directed to the Mister of Sports and Recreation, Mr Nathi Mthethwa mainly, was leaked to the media. Also, and again, Everybody, including the media itself have their own opinions about what must happen, except the SAFA NEC.
As the Chairperson of PLFA, I believe that some of the responses by SAFA are completely off the mark, removed from procedure, and enter themselves into an informal contest within a misplaced discourse. By doing this, SAFA has made this problem much more muddy, chaotic and basically, anyone’s game. But they have not lost an opportunity to still rectify their responses and start tackling this structurally. They have not lost the opportunity to, within the correct structures, using the correct procedures, remove fiction from facts.
We have noticed that these issues have sparked public interest, and by so doing, compel those who are in football structures to want to join the discourse. We also noted that there have been a lot of emotions invested in the discourse by many who are also in the fray. We have also noted that there needs to be a significant clean-up of the facts in all allegations. Most of all, we note that our part to participate has not yet come, and that the NEC needs to be given time and space to play its role where these matters are concerned.
This post is therefore directed to the Members of the Phelindaba Local Football Association (PLFA). PLFA gets its status of being the custodian of football in Phelindaba from SAFA by being its affiliate in Good Standing. As such, PLFA is part of the Membership of SAFA through its region, SAFA Tshwane. Accordingly, we do understand that PLFA has a vested interest in going-on’s at SAFA.
However, we need to act responsibly in our enquiries and participation in this discourse such that we do not exert unnecessary pressure in the situation that is already volatile and whose facts have not been confirmed. The first thing that must happen is that the NEC needs to deliberate, apply its mind, resolve, and express itself on the issues at hand. It is important to accept that these are not issues that require political solutions, but instead they require the fiduciary capacity of the NEC to arrive at logical conclusion and to provide considered direction.
What we are requesting is purely logical and is aimed at assisting the national body by affording them time and space to execute their own fiduciary duty. We wish them well with the challenges that they face. May their wisdom prevail for the best interest of football in South Africa.
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