CLAIM:
Women are being removed from Football.
TRUTH:
BEFORE 2013: A total of 50 women in all governance structures of SAFA. Only 3 women served in the NEC. President and Vice Presidents were men.
AFTER 2013: A total of 395 women serve in the governance structures of SAFA.
FIRSTS IN SAFA HISTORY:
- All Women National Teams are coached by women;
- Banyana Banyana makes first AFCON Final;
- Banyana Banyana makes it to the FIFA World Cup in France 2019;
- U20 Men National Team makes it to two consecutive FIFA World Cups, Korea 2017 and Poland 2019;
- U23 Men makes it to two consecutive Olympics, Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020/2021
- 65 young players in Europe;
- 20 women footballers in Europe and the Americas;
- Women referees officiating in PSL matches;
- Highest numbers of trained women match officials 270;
- Banyana players with degree and post matric qualifications;(Attached is the Report)
- 425,000 Women footballers;
- National Women’s League;
- National Academy in Fun Valley.
MS LEDWABA’S LETTER: - Appointment of Mr Gay Mokoena:
Ms Ledwaba, raised at the meeting on 20 June 2020 that the appointment was not discussed by the NEC. It was confirmed by the NEC that the appointment of Mr Mokoena was discussed in the Extraordinary NEC Meeting held on Thursday, 21 October 2019. She was further reminded that she excused herself from the meeting and left early. It was in this meeting where Mr Russell Paul announced that he had been appointed by FIFA to serve the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar Organising Committee. - Appointments of Mr Maforvane and Mr Pila:
The question of the appointment of Mr Mzwandile Maforvane and Mr Steve Pila was raised in the NEC and it was confirmed that Mr Maforvane was appointed by Mr Russell Paul and Mr Pila was appointed by Mr Gay Mokoena. It was further pointed to Ms Ledwaba that the Senior Management at SAFA had been headhunted and appointed by the CEO. This is the case for Mr Dennis Mumble, Mr Russell Paul, Mr Gay Mokoena, Adv. Tebogo Motlanthe, Mr Dominic Chimhavi, Mr Gronie Hluyo, Mr Mlungisi Ncame, Mr Tenda Masekwa, Mr Neil Tovey etc. In all the years of these appointments no member raised an issue on this matter. - Nomination to serve at SASCOC:
The NEC reiterated at the meeting on 20 June 2020 that all persons representing SAFA at external bodies i.e. CAF, SASCOC, FIFA and others, must be filled by serving NEC members. Mr Linda Zwane, was appointed on round robin basis, by a majority of the NEC members on the above principle. Only two persons supported the name of Mr Eric Muneri. This message was reiterated at the NEC meeting on 20 June 2020. - Ms Lydia Monyepao has not been appointed as director of Women’s Football. The CEO has the responsibility to fill the position.
- Release of Mr Mokoena as CEO:
This matter was raised at the NEC meeting on 20 June 2020. It was explained that Mr Mokoena’s contract terminated on 31 March 2020. Mr Mokoena was present at the meeting and confirmed that his contract was terminated on 31 March 2020. - Three letter requesting a meeting:
It was pointed out that Zoom meetings benefit urban based members. However the NEC has a high number of rural based members who struggle with connectivity. However, a request was forwarded to the Ministry and the Police to grant permission for face-to-face meetings prior to Level 3 lockdown and the request was denied. SAFA through the CEO attempted again to the Minister after Level 3 and permission was granted. The meeting was convened on 20 June 2020 in compliance with COVID19 rules.
Mr Mokoena’s Letter:
Mr Mokoena’s letter was an Agenda Item on the NEC Meeting of 20 June 2020. There was no objection from any member of the NEC for the item to be discussed. This matter was fully discussed and it was pointed out that claims in the letter were misleading and false. Mr Mokoena was present and participated in the discussion as well as Ms Ria Ledwaba.
We would like to point out a few of the factual inaccuracies: - That Mr Mokoena resigned or was forced to resign. Mr Mokoena’s contract terminated and he confirmed that the contract terminated on 31 March 2020.
- That a Charter was booked and paid for the Bafana Bafana vs Sao Tome in Sao Tome. This was false because on 13 March 2020 we received a communiqué from CAF cancelling all football activities.
- That Mr Hluyo was appointed CEO. It was confirmed that this was untrue.
- That Mr Jack Maluleke was paid irregularly. It was confirmed by the NEC that the payment was authorised by Mr Mokoena as Acting CEO and Mr Hluyo as CFO, and both were present at the meeting. They were both authorised to make such payments.
Many other points were raised and clarified. Both Mr Mokoena and Ms Ledwaba were present for the duration of the meeting and they participated in the discussions in the meeting.
The NEC therefore concluded that given inaccuracies in the report and noting further that Mr Gay Mokoena had submitted his activity report on 11 March 2020 which contained none of these allegations, they concluded that these allegations emerged during the period of lockdown and after the closing of the offices by Mr Mokoena.
The letter was placed in the media on 23 April 2020, nearly a month after the offices were closed as a result of the lockdown, and 23 days after his contract was terminated on 31 March 2020. The NEC therefore decided to reject Mr Gay Mokoena’s report and that it will be given no further attention by SAFA.
It must be pointed out that both Mr Gay Mokoena and Ms Ria Ledwaba were present and participated in the discussion leading up to the decision.
Yours sincerely
Tebogo Motlanthe
ACTING CEO