THE TRANSFORMATION OF SOUTH AFRICAN FOOTBALL SAFA

SAFA President’s Address Mr Kirsten Nematandani

Transformation in SA Football Transformation is an ongoing process and not an event. It is a journey of lifetime and a journey that requires us to speak the same language of respect, self-respect, tolerance, diversity, equity and fairness. Transformation is the bed-rock of social engagement, social cohesion, public discourse, agreeing to disagree but not to lose focus of who we are as a Nation and as people of the African Continent, imbued with the spirit of UBUNTU/BOTHO/HUMANENESS. Transformation is about laying to rest the ghosts of the past which had plagued South Africa for too long and such ghosts are Racism, Discrimination, Ethnicity, Tribalism, Intolerance, Sexism, Superiority Complex, Being Judgemental, Corporate Bullying and regarding one’s own views as being superior that those other people. Transformation is about bringing about radical changes to current structural systems for the betterment of an Institution and thereby building and promoting a culture of mutual respect, trust, co-operation, tolerance and humaneness. Transformation is also about the promotion of moral, ethical values and this enhancement of moral regeneration. Within the context of the above broad definitive of Transformation, an Integrated Transformation Plan will attempt to find strategic direction of SAFA’s transformation Trajectory. The mere fact that there is such keen interest on transformation is an admission of guilt that there is something drastically wrong with our system and that same needs a systemic and structural overhaul. An Integrated Transformation Plan will thus find resonance with the following explanations which in a sense highlight the centrality of a palpable transformation agenda:

Transformation in SA Football 1/ Dictionary Sense Transformation refers to a complete and fundamental change which radically affects the Nature of something, especially for the better 2/ 3/ Sociological Sense - Transformation influences the behavioural patterns of Society - Barack Obama’s election slogan “Yes We Can” - Jacob Zuma’s election slogan “Working together we can do more” Legal Sense - Cf The Bill of Rights – Chapter 2 of the South African Constitution - Bill of Rights is a corner stone of Democracy - It enshrines the rights of all people - It affirms the democratic values of human dignity, equality and freedom 4/ Political Transformation - Wind of Change blowing all over South Africa (Sir Harold Mac. Millan) on 3 February 1960 - Transferring of political power from white minority regime to black majority regime –South African context- This is so, but American context is different!

Transformation in SA Football Tsediso Thipanyane, addressing the BMF Conference in 2008 said: “Our struggle was for the transformation of a political social and economic order that will ensure a better life for all people” No one can therefore disagree with Tsediso on these sentiments and so transformation trajectory is at heart of all these change processes. FOOTBALL TRANSFORMATION - Racial - Economic - Sport Performance - Governance - Administration - National Priorities

Transformation in SA Football Transformation of South African football is a continual process of assessment, implementation, reevaluation and reinvention. Transformation, in its broadest context, must be tackled on several fronts and is being implemented accordingly: Racial National Priorities Economic Admin Sport Performance Governance

SA Football’s Path to the Present 1862 -1990 1991 – 1997 – 2004 -2010 BEYOND 2010 Build capacity to deliver world-class WC Become No. 1 in Africa • Build world-class FA • Deliver worldclass WC • Host other World Cups • Build world-class national teams THE ERA CHALLENGE RESPONSE Overcome apartheid Unite & Adjust to FIFA & CAF membership 4 raciallydivided associations Hosted & won 1996 African Cup of Nations Post-Pickard Era Noteworthy achievements * Reach Top 10 in World * ’ 97 -FIFA U-20 Youth Champ ’ 98 -WC France ’ 99 –Afr Wmns Champs in SA ’ 00 -U-20 Afr Youth Champs ‘ 00 –Sydney Olympics ’ 02 –WC in Korea-Japan ’ 04 -2010 rights awarded

Aims & Objectives of SAFA – Article 8 - SAFA Constitution 8. 1 To promote, advance, administer, co-ordinate and generally encourage the game of football in South Africa in accordance with the principles as laid down in the statutes of FIFA; 8. 2 To consider and establish rules to control football in South Africa; 8. 3 To enforce the Laws of the Game as promulgated by FIFA from time to protect the game against any form of abuse; 8. 4 To initiate, negotiate, arrange, finance and control tours and matches of teams to and from South Africa; 8. 5 To settle disputes arising between members or bodies or persons connected directly or indirectly with football within the jurisdiction of the Association; 8. 6 To raise and administer the funds of the Association in such a manner as the Association may deem advisable and in particular by means of subscriptions, donations and sponsorships; 8. 7 To acquire and develop playing facilities including the construction of stadia; 8. 8 To affiliate to CONFEDERATION AFRICAINE DE FOOTBALL (CAF), FEDERATION INTERNATIONALE DE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION (FIFA), SA SPORTS & OLYMPIC COMMITTEE (SASCOC); 8. 9 To distribute monies to its Members for the protection, promotion and advancement of amateur football; 8. 9 To do all things as may be incidental or conducive to the attainment of the objectives or any one of them.

The SAFA Mission Statement The South African Football Association, as the governing body of football in South Africa, is committed to: ►Promoting and facilitating the development of football through sustainable infrastructural and training initiatives; ►Engaging in pro-active dialogue with the government to generate a partnership in recognition of football as a national asset; ►Creating an image of being a stable, progressive and innovative institution; ►Creating a mutually beneficial relationship with the corporate world; ►Contributing to Africa’s ascendancy in world football through the hosting of major events in Africa, while aspiring and striving to become a leading football playing nation.

MODERN FOOTBALL’S NEW REALITY

Modern Football’s New Reality The river used to flow freely and everyone could draw water downstream. . . . until someone built a dam upstream and caused the river to run dry downstream.

Modern Football’s New Reality ØA strong national centre is therefore needed to acquire resources using economies of scale to negotiate sponsorships and to provide proper levels of support for development

Racial Transformation

1. Racial Transformation Objectives n n To strengthen participation by all racial groups in the country To increase female participation in the sport More coaching courses for school teachers and SGBs Introduce Grassroots football in communities Challenges n n n Accessibility to school sports thru PE in the curriculum Lack of infrastructure Inadequately trained human resources Parental involvement Cultural challenges in rural areas

2. Economic Transformation Objectives n n n To diversify income sources for football Ownership and/or control of facilities Football Pools Capacity-building in our Regions Broadcasting revenue base needs to increase drastically Exploit hidden value embedded in the sport (merchandising, business potential) Challenges n n n Mindset of Corporate South Africa is racially based Lack of an entrepreneurial culture in football Negative public image of the sport

3. Sport Performance Objectives n n n n Establish grassroots football programmes to increase the fun element into the sport Establishment of provincial, regional, local high performance centers Improvement of the National School of Excellence at Elandsfontein Become the center of Elite Football Development for the African continent Become No. 1 in Africa at all age group levels Qualify for FIFA and continental competitions at all levels Increase the coaching culture at all levels Challenges n n Transfer of land for School of Excellence to be accelerated Acquisition of Esselen Park as the National Center of Excellence for football Increased engagement with government at Provincial and local levels Lack of junior leagues / financial support

4. Governance Objectives n n n n n Application of King III Code Capacity-Building of Committees Providing Strategic direction to the Administration Establishment of the Code of Ethics / Conduct Zero tolerance for corrupt behaviour Developing a culture of service / accountability Declaration of Interest for all members Democratic centralism is a key tenet for strong governance Commitment to the concept of development at all levels (elite football, professional football, amateur football, commercial development) Challenges n n Implementation and monitoring mechanisms Corrupt behaviour among certain sectors in the sport

5. Administration Objectives n n Capacity building for staff Technological improvements Performance management Professionalisation of administration at all levels (national, provincial, local) Challenges n n Suitably qualified candidates for certain roles Culture of non-delivery in certain sectors Lack of infrastructure Lack of financial resources to administer the sport at various levels

6. National Priorities Objectives n n n n Improve relations with government at all levels Education on national role in international sport performance Build a Winning Nation Participation in Olympic Football Tournament Participate in All Africa Games Acquisition of sport infrastructure High performance training Challenges n n n Lack of communication Lack of clarity on government programmes Lack of financial and infrastructure resources

SUCCESSES • National Teams Performance Improvement • Bafana • Raising the World Ranking of Bafana • Appointment of a South African Head Coach for Bafana • Under-17 Womens National team qualifies for the Under-17 FIFA World Cup • Hosting of the 2010 African Womens Championship • Qualified for the CHAN • Improve attendance at national team matches • Grassroots football programmes all over the country • 2010 FIFA World Cup • Award from CAF for hosting the 2010 FIFA World Cup • The World Cup Legacy Programme (artificial turf programme, training and development) • The SAFA Annual General Meeting • SAFA Awards • Continuous strategic planning • Continual focus on the transformation agenda through proper resourcing • The Robben Island Declaration and its Implementation • Unifying the Sport (Improvement of Relations with The League) • Adoption of Policies to improve performance • Development of fraternal relations with sister federations

THANK YOU