A call to action: Portfolio committee can address accountability in South African football
The Portfolio Committee on Sport, Arts and Culture holds a critical key to unlocking the transformation needed in this beloved sport, provided its members engage thoroughly with the issues at hand and make informed decisions.
While the potential for greatness exists within the country's talent and passionate supporters, deep-seated issues continue to hinder progress.
As the appointed overseers of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, they are tasked with holding vital discussions on budget allocations, policy scrutiny, and performance evaluations, aiming to ensure that the department meets its mandate effectively and is held accountable for its actions.
The Portfolio Committee on Sport, Arts and Culture can play a crucial role in revitalising South African football, and it must not be overlooked.
To effect meaningful change, members of the Portfolio Committee must undertake diligent research on the myriad of issues plaguing South African football. They have the opportunity to engage with stakeholders from various levels to create a holistic understanding of the problems faced by the sport.
This comprehensive engagement is vital; informed commentary and relevant questions can guide discussions in a direction that fosters responsibility and improvement.
Their engagement must not merely scratch the surface. There is an urgent need to dissect the intricacies of governance structures within SAFA, demand transparency in operations, and call for a strategy that reinvigorates the passion of South African fans.
Engagement must extend into addressing youth development, grassroots initiatives, and infrastructural support – elements that will secure the future of football in South Africa.
Significantly, it's the corporate world's participation that could rejuvenate the sport financially and operationally. However, sponsors and investors are unlikely to commit funds so long as there is a perception of inefficiency and a lack of accountability within SAFA.
A revitalised football association, one that embraces reform and responsibility, would pave the way for constructive partnerships that could elevate South African football to new heights. The Portfolio Committee can play a transformative role, provided it approaches its mandate with the seriousness and diligence it deserves.
A recent parliamentary session raised a host of concerns surrounding SAFA's choices and salaries in coaching appointments across national teams.
The South African Football Association (SAFA) finds itself navigating turbulent waters, facing heightened scrutiny over its financial constraints and coaching appointments amid a recent parliamentary session. Issues surrounding operational efficacy and personnel decisions are at the forefront of discussions, particularly concerning coaching roles across national teams.
On several occasions, SAFA proudly announced that all coaching positions for the national female teams have been filled exclusively by South African women. SAFA President Danny Jordaan said parliament was highly pleased by this, asserting that the decisions reflect a commitment to empowering local talent.
It would seem that the committee was rubber-stamping SAFA's act of prioritising nationality over coaching pedigree, and that undermined the potential for optimal performance. The coaches of female national teams are there firstly because they are women. This focus on gender may undermine teams' competitive edge.
As SAFA continues to address its financial pressures, the path forward will undoubtedly require vigilance and a fine-tuned strategy that prioritises both inclusivity and high standards of coaching capability.
The committee members should have asked whether these appointments are truly merit-based. Proponents of meritocracy contend that an ideal coaching situation requires a careful balance of nationality and qualifications to ensure optimal performance on the international stage. The fear among various stakeholders is that female coaches are being appointed primarily for their gender rather than their coaching acumen.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The South African
12 minutes ago
- The South African
Khune, Katsande star at rural Zim stadium opening
Kaizer Chiefs legends Itumeleng Khune and Willard Katsande received a hero's welcome in Zimbabwe's Gwanda during a community football project. The duo attended the official opening of a new mini-stadium over the weekend, built by a local businessman near Manama. According to HeraldOnline , Khune flew back to Johannesburg on Sunday morning. Katsande chose to stay behind and watch a soccer match in Bulawayo. 'We were invited to be guests at the official launch of a mini stadium near Manama in Gwanda,' Katsande told The Chronicle . 'It was good to be out there to promote football in a way, and we hope the next generation of stars can image out of that.' Katsande revealed that he had stayed behind because he wanted to network with football people from Bulawayo. He told The Chronicle that he runs a football school in Johannesburg with many children whose parents were from the city. He added that it was good to be there and that he had enjoyed the match. The match was between Highlanders and Ngezi Platinum Stars. Manama is a small rural centre tucked deep in Matabeleland South, about 90 kilometres south of Gwanda town. It is roughly 170 kilometres from the Beitbridge border with South Africa. Manama is far from the country's football limelight. But over the weekend, the quiet village made headlines when Khune and Katsande touched down as special guests. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
42 minutes ago
- IOL News
South Africa eyes diversification as jobs exodus looms over 30% US import tariffs
Zane Dangor, the Director-General (DG) of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco), speaking with Simphiwe Hamilton, the director-general of the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) during a press briefing led by Ministers Ronald Lamola and Parks Tau on the reciprocal US tariffs. Image: GCIS Banele Ginidza About 30 000 jobs in various sectors are likely to be impacted by the unilateral 30% import tariffs to be imposed by the United States on South African products, which is set to come into effect before the end of this week. This was announced on Monday as the government seeks to craft an export diversification strategy leaning heavily towards China's R20 billion market through the offered China-Africa Trade partnership and a special industrialisation memorandum of understanding exclusively with South Africa. Simphiwe Hamilton, the director-general of the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic), confirmed that thousands of jobs were on the line in a variety of industries that export goods to the US market. 'We base this on the ongoing consultation that we have with all the sectors of the economy, from automotive to agriculture, and all the other sectors that are going to be affected, and at this stage, we are sitting at approximately 30 000 jobs that could be affected by this,' Hamilton said. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ The dtic and the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) said the 20% increase on top of the basic 10% tariff may shave off 0.2% of South Africa's economic growth, with the reduction in growth depending on SA's ability to find alternative markets. Trade Minister Parks Tau said it was mildly comforting that 35% of SA exports remained exempted from the tariffs with the exceptions published in the previous US Executive Order to remain in force. The exceptions cover products such as copper, pharmaceuticals, semi-conductors, lumber articles, certain critical minerals, stainless steel scrap, energy and energy products. Tau said the impact of the tariff was still subject of scrutiny with various conclusions, citing AgriCulture South Africa reporting an understated impact than initially modelled. "Drawing a straight line is a mistake we all have been making over the past few months when we are saying the auto sector is going to be affected and can't export to the US market," Tau said. "But when you drill down to the detail, most of the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) in the country do not go into the US market. So you have to go to the OEM that goes into the US market to determine what percentage of products [is exported to the US] to then determine impact. Last month, US President Donald Trump stated that the 30% tariff was "necessary to correct the many years of South Africa's Tariff, and Non Tariff, Policies and Trade Barriers," blaming Pretoria for what he called "unsustainable Trade Deficits against the United States." However, Tau and Dirco Minister Ronald Lamola said the calculation of US-SA "trade deficit" ignored the substantial US trade surplus in services, as well as the complementary nature of the bilateral trade and investment relations between the two countries. "South African exports do not compete with US producers and do not pose a threat to the US industry," they said in a joint statement. As a result, the government has embarked on the diversification of markets and strengthening trade and investment partnerships with various trade partners, targeting markets across Africa, as well as in Asia, Europe, Middle East, and Americas. "Our announcement on the Clean Trade and Investment Partnership with the European Union in March has unlocked a R90 Billion Investment Package that has been initially committed," read the statement. "This Clean Trade and Investment Partnership also aims to unlock new market access opportunities for South Africa, including the export of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) by Sasol and the exports of hybrids and Electric Vehicles. "While facing global trade challenges, South Africa is proactively building a more resilient agricultural sector. We've made significant progress in opening up vast new markets like China and Thailand, securing vital protocols for products like citrus and others." The government said that with China alone being a $200bn market, South Africa was confidently expanding its reach and creating new opportunities for agricultural producers. "We're making significant inroads into new, high-growth markets across Asia and the Middle East, including the UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. We have also developed a number of Trade and Investment Packages with a number of countries, including Japan that aim to unlock new market access opportunities," it said. "While the current measures present challenges, it also presents opportunities to build and accelerate the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement and to develop new partnerships in markets that have remained untapped, including ASEAN and Turkiye." BUSINESS REPORT
Daily Maverick
4 hours ago
- Daily Maverick
GNU must take blame for not acting to avert imposition of Trump's exorbitant tariffs
The recent decision by US President Donald Trump to increase tariffs from 10% to 30% on most South African imports, effective this past Friday, 1 August 2025, is a damning indictment of our foreign policy shortcomings. At the heart of this unfolding crisis is the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa), which for nearly 25 years has given South African goods duty-free access to US markets. In 2023, more than $3-billion worth of exports flowed to the US under Agoa, sustaining jobs and livelihoods in key industries such as automotive manufacturing, agriculture, and mining. It's difficult to overstate just how beneficial Agoa has been. The US is South Africa's second-largest export market, and Agoa alone accounts for more than $2-billion in exports annually. Entire value chains are built on this preferential access. This has resulted in tens of thousands of jobs created and maintained in export-related industries, especially in the automotive and agricultural sectors. Yet, what once felt like abstract diplomatic tensions have now resulted in exorbitant tariff hikes that could wipe out margins for exporters and put thousands of jobs at risk across key sectors — from citrus and wine to auto manufacturing and metals. While some may point fingers at an increasingly protectionist White House, the Government of National Unity (GNU) must accept responsibility for what is in most parts a self-inflicted wound. Those in the GNU say that jobs and the economy are their number one priority. But when it came to protecting one of our largest export markets and tens of thousands of South African jobs, they sat on their hands and watched the tariffs roll in. This diplomatic misstep will be measured in job losses, declining export revenue, and dwindling investor confidence. Instead of strategic engagement, disarray ensued. Civil society organisations like AfriForum and Solidarity secured high-level meetings in Washington, while our official diplomatic presence remained directionless. Undermining national trade posture Even the Democratic Alliance was accused of undermining our national trade posture through uncoordinated political freelancing, a move that seemingly cost MP Emma Powell her role as the DA's International Relations spokesperson. At the core of Washington's growing frustration is South Africa's erratic and often contradictory foreign policy. Despite claiming to be non-aligned, our government has taken deliberate steps that signal the opposite. The ANC's hosting of senior Hamas representatives in Pretoria, Minister Naledi Pandor's infamous meeting with then Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi, and South Africa's ambiguous stance on Russia's war in Ukraine have all sent provocative messages that clash with global democratic norms. These actions carry real-world consequences, as this latest tariff decision makes painfully clear. Even under the more diplomatic Biden administration, South Africa failed to rebuild trust. We did not use the opportunity to engage, negotiate or reassure. And now, under a more transactional Trump presidency, patience has run out. What is clear is that South Africa urgently needs a foreign policy rooted in clear principles and strategic interests, instead of nostalgia and ideology. Our diplomacy must be led by the state, above party politics, and laser focused on three core objectives: expanding trade and economic growth, defending human rights, and advancing democracy on the continent and beyond. The current bipolar approach, with mixed signals from different actors, is unsustainable and deeply damaging. A government-led, coherent strategy to stabilise and grow our trade relationship with the US is now mission-critical. This strategy must include five immediate actions: South Africa must reassert official leadership in managing our engagement with Washington. Splinter groups and political parties must refrain from back-channelling for narrow political gain. Trade policy is national policy. South Africa must speak with one clear, credible, and united voice. Our government must directly engage with the US Congress, which holds immense sway over trade legislation. Lawmakers on Capitol Hill need to hear not just about Agoa's benefits for South Africa, but for the US too. More than 500,000 American jobs are tied to trade with us. We should use that as leverage. South Africa must table a credible trade and investment plan that showcases the mutual benefits of partnership. Priority sectors like automotive exports (valued at more than $1.2-billion annually), citrus, wine, metals and green technology must be at the forefront. We must position ourselves as a reliable partner for US capital, technology, and innovation as America eyes new partners in the global energy transition. A full economic risk assessment must be urgently commissioned to measure the impact of the proposed tariffs on jobs and industry. Such a study would not only quantify the damage, but guide our negotiating position and enable smarter policy responses, including sector-specific relief or adjustment mechanisms. Perhaps most urgently, we must appoint a capable and credible ambassador to Washington. This needs to be someone who understands both diplomacy and economics. The job now requires high-stakes negotiations to restore market confidence and protect jobs. That seat has remained vacant or ineffective for far too long. The truth is that South Africa's foreign policy has long lacked a future-focused economic dimension. It is too often discussed not in terms of trade, growth or a digital future, but in the context of how liberation movements can remain in power. This mindset has locked us into outdated alliances, including with authoritarian regimes that are neither democratic nor innovative. Meanwhile, we've neglected crucial relationships with long-standing partners like the US, and failed to appoint ambassadors, attend key forums or secure investment guarantees. What is clear is that we cannot afford to respond with more muddled messages, delayed decisions and ideological posturing. If we do not act with clarity, urgency and humility, we risk permanently losing one of our most important trade relationships. Now more than ever, our foreign policy must serve South Africa's economic interests. Jobs, industries and future growth hang in the balance. DM
