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SAFA appoints its first female CEO

The South-African Football Association (SAFA) as appointed Lydia Monyepao as the new Chief Executive Officer with immediate effect following the departure of Advocate Tebogo Motlanthe on Friday, May 5.

The announcement was made during a media breafing held as SAFA house in Johannesburg on Monday morning (May 8). Monyepao becomes the first women to hold the position of SAFA CEO.

She joined SAFA in 2012 as the team manager for Banyana Banyana and was appointed to the position of Chief Operations officer in July 2021.

Addressing the media on Monday (8 May 2023) on her appointment, SAFA President Dr Jordaan said having worked for the organisation in several positions, the former Banyana Banyana player and South Africa senior women’s national team manager was well equipped for the job.

“We wish her all the best. Certainly at the SAFA Emergency Committee meeting yesterday (Sunday, 8 May 2023, the decision was unanimous. Everyone agreed to the appointment of Lydia Monyepao as the Chief Executive Officer of the South African Football Association. So, congratulations, and you have to hit the ground running. The first engagement is tomorrow (Tuesday, 9 May 2023) in Cape Town with the government,” the SAFA President said.

“She knows all the deadlines (for South Africa’s bid for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup) because  she has been working on all these matters anyway, and it is nothing new.”    

In her acceptance speech, Monyepao said she was aware of the challenges of the new role but was up to the task.

‘’It is big shoes that I am filling and I have to hit the ground running,” she said.

“I am capable of hitting the ground running, I will accept the task and take the work forward. I am not naïve in terms of what is required for this job. I know the challenges that surround any CEO of the South African Football Association, I am not blind to that.

“But as indicated, no job is easy and you have to take it as it comes and apply what you are good at, and what you are capable of. Thank you very much to the President and to the SAFA NEC for having  confidence in me and my abilities. My CV will show you in terms of my previous experience and my educational, so I believe I am capable of this.”

The former Banyana Banyana player, brings to this position a wealth of experience in sports and finance fraternity, having worked for corporate sectors such SABC, Witwatersrand and many more.

She is a graduate of Loughborough University in UK, with Masters in Sports management. She also holds a BCom Honours in Accounting from University of Kwazulu-Natal.

Monyepao’s appointment over-lapped with Banyana Banyana’s final preparations for the FIFA women’s world cup slated for July and August in Australia and New Zeeland.

Motlanthe ‘peacefully’ parts ways with SAFA

Outgoing CEO Advocate Motlanthe, who also briefly attended the Press Conference, said he was leaving the Association in good hands, adding there was no bad blood with the SAFA hierarchy.

Back in January 2021, Adv. Motlanthe’s appointment as CEO of the national football organization was announced.

He also said he had handed his signed resignation letter to the SAFA President and distanced himself from a letter that has been circulated in the media in the last few days. He also confirmed that he has no bad blood with anyone at the organization.

“It is indeed true that I have handed my resignation and I have sent a letter (to the SAFA President) that I have signed. The one which is on social media, I would like to categorical say it is not my letter and I do not know,” he said. “Mine has a signature and has my reasons. My reasons are personal and private.”

He thanked Dr Danny Jordaan for the opportunity to lead such a big organization like SAFA and said his relationship with the Association remains cordial.

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