EP’S Rademan calls for truce after win
EP Rugby Union rivals, officials called on to form united front
Andre Rademan struck a conciliatory tone by extending a hand of friendship to rivals after he was re-elected EP Rugby Union president following a bitter campaign battle.
It was a landslide victory for Rademan, who trounced his presidential opponent Vernon Stuurman by 130 votes to 54 at the ballot box.
After his win, Rademan called for an end to internal mudslinging and politics and urged officials to form a united front.
“The detractors, who want to destroy this union for personal agendas or whatever, must accept what has happened at this election,” he said.
Rademan was elected on a ticket labelled “Project Accelerated Growth” and his victory was a reward for bringing financial stability to the troubled union.
Ahead of Saturday’s annual meeting, at Cillie High School, objections regarding the eligibility of several candidates were lodged, including those of Rademan and Stuurman.
At the 11th hour it was decided that the election would proceed after factional tensions reached boiling point.
“When I was declared president for the next four years I was humbled,” Rademan said.
“It’s a big responsibility, but it is an honour to serve this union and it is not a right.
“I did not expect a big win like this and it is a huge victory, even bigger than the one in 2017 when I came into office.
“I am aware of the responsibility to produce and not to let people down who have entrusted me with this honour,” he said.
“I am extending a hand of friendship to rival candidates.
“The elections are over and we do not want a union that is split with politics and mudslinging.
“EP want a united union where we stand together for rugby. We must all put EP back to where we should be.
“I have put out a hand of friendship and it is up to them whether they accept it or not.
“The hard work starts now for the new executive.
“I want to thank everyone who supported me, but there will always be negative people and criticism.
“I am a very positive person and I believe in the next four years we can put this union back where it belongs.
“The first four years in office were just about sorting out big problems and we have done that. Now it is about getting a winning team on the field and getting our club rugby structures healthy.
“We want our disciplinary committee to be working and all these people who were elected to get their portfolios up and running.
“Another goal is to get sponsors and investments for the union. I think at our meeting we proved to the business world that there is stability and continuity going forward.
“On Monday I will call in the new executive to discuss the way forward.
“On Tuesday we will be talking to sponsors we had to put on hold until after we knew the result of the election.
“Now we can start moving forward because we got a mandate from our clubs. As a union we have never been in a such a good space before.
“The detractors must accept what has happened.”
The results of the elections were as follows:
President: Andre Rademan 130, Vernon Stuurman 54
Deputy president: Maasdorp Cannon 117, Willie Blundin 51, Eben Coltman 15 Vice-president:
George Malgas 126, Henry Jegels 57
Finance, HR & marketing: Mbulelo Gidane 116, Themba Maseti 68
Provincial affairs:
Freddie Makoki 101, Tony de Laura 54, Dennis January 27
Club affairs:
Phillip Joseph 118, Theo Ketchem 63
Coaching & game development:
Lorinda Brown 119, Amir Mpayipeli 62.