THE TRANSFORMATION OF SOUTH AFRICAN FOOTBALL

THE THE TRANSFORMATION TRANSFORMATION OF SOUTH AFRICAN OF SOUTH AFRICAN FOOTBALLFOOTBALL

SAFA

SAFA President’s Address

Mr Kirsten Nematandani

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/ 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”

 3/ 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 MacMillan) 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

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:

*

’97 -FIFA U-20 Youth Champ ’99 –Afr Wmns Champs in SA ‘00 –Sydney Olympics

’98 -WC France ’00 -U-20 Afr Youth Champs ’02 –WC in Korea-Japan

’04 -2010 rights awarded

SA Football’s Path to the Present

4 racially-divided

associations

1862 -1990 1997 –20041991 –1997 2004 -2010

Overcome apartheid

Unite & Adjust to

FIFA & CAF member-ship

Post-Pickard Era

Build capacity to deliver

world-class WC

•Build world-class FA

•Deliver world-class WC

•Build world-class national teams

Hosted & won 1996

African Cup of Nations

Noteworthy achievements *

THE ERA

CHALLENGE

RESPONSE

BEYOND 2010

Become No. 1 in Africa

Reach Top 10 in World

•Build world-class FA

•Host other World Cups

•Build world-class national teams

 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 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.

Aims & Objectives of SAFA – Article 8 - SAFA Constitution

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.

The SAFA Mission Statement

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

A 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

Modern Football’s

New Reality

Racial Transformation

1. Racial Transformation

Objectives

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

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

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

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

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

Transfer of land for School of Excellence to beaccelerated

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

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

Implementation and monitoring mechanisms Corrupt behaviour among certain sectors in the sport

5. Administration

Objectives

Capacity building for staff Technological improvements Performance management Professionalisation of administration at all levels (national, provincial,

local)

Challenges

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

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

Lack of communication Lack of clarity on government programmes Lack of financial and infrastructure resources

•National Teams Performance Improvement•Bafana Bafana

•Raising the World Ranking of Bafana Bafana•Appointment of a South African Head Coach for Bafana 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

SUCCESSES

THANK YOU