PLFA Congratulates Ntate Sebapu on His Appointment as an Honorary Member of the SAFA NEC

The Phelindaba Local Football Association’s Executive Committee, on behalf of its officials and members, is pleased to learn that Ntate Sebapu, who is currently an Honorary President of the Tshwane Regional Football Association, has now also been appointed as the Honorary Member of the South African Football Association’s NEC (National Executive Committee). An emphatic congratulations to you, Ntate Sebapu!!!!

Of course, this cannot be said without mentioning that his appointment follows PLFA’s submission, which recommended his appointment. PLFA made this submission at the Tshwane Regional Football Association’s Ordinary Congress in 2024. The latter proceeded to submit to SAFA’s Ordinary Congress that was held on June 28, 2025.

The recommendation is triggered by Ntate Sebapu’s love and contribution to football. We know him from his time as the uncompromising president of the Gauteng North Football Association (GNFA). His leadership then kept Tshwane, then known as Pretoria, at the top. He groomed footballers, coaches, referees, administrators, and even leaders during his time. He was not driven by money or other external incentives, as his heart was genuinely invested in both football and the city. He knew what needed to be achieved, and he went for it.

When SAFA changed its membership structure and adopted the municipal delegations, he too became a focused member of the SAFA NEC. This change required two things of him, namely:

1. Convert the region from being Gauteng North Football Association to being SAFA Tshwane, and amalgamate it with the newly incorporated towns and townships such as Motsweding, and
2. Institute a new regional executive committee thereof.

He completed the above transitional activities with distinction, leaving Mr. Willie Mooka as the inaugural leader of the newly formed region in 2006, deputised by Mr. Sizwe Nkosi from Phelindaba.

Ntate Sebapu continued with the work of the SAFA NEC, never deserting the region, and always guided SAFA Tshwane.

When Solly Mohlabeng and his REC collective took over the leadership of SAFA Tshwane in 2019, they moved to bring Ntate Sebapu close formally and officially by recommending his appointment as Honorary President at SAFA Tshwane, which the regional Congress obliged. He continued to be the beacon of hope, the voice of reason, the advisor, and the disciplinarian to both the REC members and the LFAs at large, never tiring of applying his sound judgement to all matters that came before him. He was never one to shy away from making his voice heard, helping to keep us all on track.

Ntate Sebapu is growing old by age, but not so much by form. He is 81 years old now, and yes, he remains more active in football than most people who joined the sport after him.

We wish him well in his appointment as an honorary member of the SAFA NEC. We know he will contribute positively. We want to present ourselves to him as the wind beneath his wings. As much as he was there for us, we will be there for him.

A very special ‘thank you’ to the Soshanguve Local Football Association (SOLFA) for sustaining this man for us all. Your contribution is well noted. And an extra thank you to the Tshwane Regional Football Association and all its members for heeding the call and acting upon it. Your spirit is the energy that makes the statement “Trust the process” true.

Thank you.