SA soccer’s slow pace
Great strides on the pitch, not in boardroom
As the country celebrates Women’s Day today, though somewhat mutedly given the Covid-19-induced restrictions on group gatherings, there can be no denying that South African football also has reason to raise a glass in toast of progress made in the women’s game.
The recent moves of about five players to overseas clubs is a case in point. Ditto the fact that all our female national teams are coached by women.
But while great strides are being made on the pitch, the same cannot be necessarily said of progress in the boardroom. Take the recent axing of Ria Ledwaba as vice-president of Safa for what the association termed her having “acted against the constitution by going public with internal matters” for example.
When Ledwaba ascended to the position following the elections two years ago, there was huge fanfare with many praising Safa for seeing the value that woman could play in the game.
Ledwaba becoming vice-president raised hopes that some day soon a woman could occupy the highest office in the country’s football governing body.
In a little way, it did away with the notion that football is a man’s game. It inspired many women to dream of playing a meaningful role in the running of football. The change to the constitution, which helped see to it that the Safa NEC had no less than five women on it, was lauded as being highly progressive.
Add to that the fact that the country’s professional football body, the PSL, installed a woman – Mato Madlala – as its acting CEO, and you could easily put South Africa as a shining example to the sport being progressive and pro-women.
Anastasia Tsichlas, arguably the godmother of South African football given her vast experience and many years of holding executive roles, believes notwithstanding the Ledwaba saga, the country is on good footing.
“We have a lot to be proud about when it comes to the game and its treatment of women,” said the former Mamelodi Sundowns owner, who sits on the Safa NEC and plays key roles in CAF and Fifa.
“For the first time, I can see there’s a positive difference when it comes to women’s football. Whenever I go to Europe or travel in Africa I am always told of how great we are doing as a country in terms of women’s football.
“Our girls signing for clubs all over the world is seen as a sign of the great work. And even our league, people are asking me how we get it right, countries in Europe that are starting leagues asking for tips from us.”
Tsichlas does acknowledge, however, that more still needs to be done.
“Of course we can have more women in top administrative positions. The Safa constitution provides for more women now in the NEC and I’m proud.”
While delighted that Madlala is heading the PSL, Tsichlas said it would be great if the Golden Arrows boss was in the position permanently.
“The only thing I am not happy about is that she has been acting for a very long time. But, of course, I am not in the PSL.
“I have no way of knowing why that is the case. My big dream is to see many women taking up ownership of clubs just like myself, Ria and Mato have done.”
She explained further: “And they do not have to buy PSL clubs but they can start in the local leagues and build their clubs up.
“I’ve been in the game for a very long time to know that a woman can make it. The biggest stumbling block to women is support from the corporate world.”
The South African Football Association (Safa) has issued a notice reminding fans amateur sport remains suspended. This comes as numerous regions reported the flouting of lockdown regulations. This week, Safa Umkhanyakude region reported the death of a young football player who died while playing the game in Mtubatuba.
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Our girls signing for clubs all over the world is seen as a sign of great work
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