THE National Executive Committee (NEC) of the South African Schools Football Association (SASFA) announced a number of resolutions today that restore the authority of the association in school football and places it in the centre of football development in South Africa.
Announcing the resolutions of the NEC, SASFA President Mandla (Shoes) Mazibuko said, “Following several months of misinformation that seek to sow confusion and disunity among the school football community, we wish to assure our members, sponsors and broader South Africans that SASFA remains the only authentic voice for school football in South Africa fully supported by fraternal bodies such as the Association for School Governing Bodies and the largest teachers union, SADTU, amongst others.”
The NEC discussed and passed the following resolutions:
Status of two vice presidents who allegedly defected to SAFA
The two Vice Presidents, Mr. Dickson Molepo and Innocent Sirhova have indicated, through confirmed media reports, that are part of a SAFA parallel structure for school football therefore leaving a vacuum in the NEC. The two members will be given an opportunity to explain themselves at the next Annual General Meeting before a final decision is taken against them in terms of Article 6.1.1 of the SASFA Constitution.
Filling in of vacant executive positions
To fill in the vacant positions, the following NEC members Ms Matsepelo Mathibela and Mr Patrick Mabasa have been appointed to act in the vacant vice president positions to ensure the smooth running of the programmes of the Association and fulfill commitments made to our sponsors and constituent bodies. The vacant positions will be filled and ratified at the next Annual General Meeting soon to be announced.
Status of the suspended General Secretary
The suspension of the General Secretary, Mr. Steve Pila remains unchanged until the disciplinary process has run its full course. During this suspension period, he is barred from representing or engaging in any activity in the name of the Association. Failure to adhere to these conditions of the suspension will result in further steps being taken, including immediate dismissal.
Forming of parallel structures by SAFA
The NEC notes the forming of the so called United Schools Football under the banner of SAFA by three of members of our NEC. The NEC would like state categorically that this is a parallel structure that has been formed without any consultation with the leadership of SASFA. Our members who are part of this parallel structure have acted without any mandate from our Association or any of the constituent bodies. It is our expectation as the NEC that SAFA will seek to reconcile with us as directed by the Sports Minister, Mr. Thulas Nxesi rather than cause further harm to an already fragile relationship between the two football bodies.
The SAFA/SASFA legal matter
Following a high court judgment setting aside a SAFA resolution of March 2015 that sought to derecognize SASFA in August 2016, SAFA has appealed this Court decision and the matter will be heard on 7 August 2017. To this end, the actions of SAFA over the past few weeks that include: setting up of parallel structures, making pronouncements on settling the matter out of court without consulting us, and many other unethical activities behind our backs, are tantamount to contempt of Court and not assisting the reconciliation efforts between the two parties.
Legal standing of SASFA as an autonomous body
We want to state that SASFA is an associate and not an affiliate member of SAFA. As such, it runs its affairs independently as guided by the Education Act under the stewardship of the Ministers of Basic Education and Sports and Recreation. The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that guides the working relationship between SASFA and SAFA states clearly that SAFA as the Federation must assist with technical, administrative and logistical support and not seek to usurp the powers of SASFA as has been evidenced over the past few months.
Danone Nations Cup
As stated above, the NEC places a high premium on the smooth running of the Association and as such will not be wasting its energies on sideshows that do not benefit football development in our country. To this end, the NEC would like to congratulate Maphela Primary School, a rural school in KZN for winning the Danone Nations Cup on 1 July 2017. They will be flying to New York on 19 September 2017 for the DANONE Nations Cup International.
