The walls are closing in on Safa president Danny Jordaan after an NEC meeting turned physical on Saturday. Photo: Backpagepix
Image: Backpagepix
COMMENT
The walls are closing in on Danny Jordaan as he eyes a fourth term as Safa president, and the sooner he realises it, the better. Stepping down now could help preserve what remains of his reputation.
The Safa national executive committee (NEC) held a congress at the mother body’s headquarters in Nasrec on Saturday, but chaos ensued as members – in videos that have since gone viral – were involved in physical and verbal altercations.
While it is not entirely clear what sparked the incident, the meeting saw private security called in to remove two members from the auditorium.
Those members, however, insisted they would not leave the meeting, arguing that Jordaan did not have the authority to remove them, particularly when they were legitimate participants.
It has been alleged that Jordaan has been running the association like his personal fiefdom. He has also been accused of abusing his authority for personal gain. Those allegations could have a degree of truth to them, as Jordaan is reportedly under investigation for R1.3 million fraud, after hiring private security at Safa without following the necessary procedures.
No organisation is without its problems. However, the level of dysfunction and conflict within SA football's mother body has reached such a point that it is becoming increasingly difficult for anyone who has worked closely with Jordaan to continue praising his leadership.
In a recent, exclusive interview with Independent Media, former Safa employee and Jordaan ally Zola Dunywa criticised his leadership. He accused Jordaan of overlooking local coaches and becoming so obsessed with power that he should be removed from office.
Amid concerns about his age — he is 74-year old — Jordaan has expressed interest in running for a fourth term. Dunywa, however, went as far as suggesting he does not see Jordaan lasting the year, let alone returning to serve as president after the 2026 Fifa World Cup.
The prediction may prove accurate.
The chaos at the NEC meeting suggests that members within Jordaan’s own camp are growing increasingly frustrated with his leadership. Just last week, Safa secured a major sponsorship deal with banking giant Standard Bank to support all national teams. Yet, concerns quickly emerged that the funds might not be properly managed due to allegations surrounding the leadership.
Minister of Sport Gayton McKenzie recently allocated funding to Safa for the rollout of VAR, aimed at improving officiating in South African football. However, since that announcement, Safa has remained silent on the matter — a worrying sign for those already skeptical about the association’s financial management.
McKenzie appears to be losing patience. After videos of the NEC altercations went viral on Saturday, he vowed to take immediate action.
“This is hugely embarrassing and shameful behaviour by the people tasked with running our football,” McKenzie posted on X.
“We will be informing CAF and Fifa about our intention to investigate and take action. We are hard at work bringing corporate sponsorship to Safa to allow this nonsense to end.”
McKenzie must now follow through on his promise. Safa and the national teams deserve leadership that is accountable, ethical, and transparent — qualities that many believe can no longer be found under Jordaan’s stewardship.
* Mihlali Baleka is Independent Media's senior football reporter and a panelist on the group's soccer podcast, The D-Line, which is exclusive on our YouTube channel The Clutch