“I will tell him to his face.” Those were the blunt words of former SAFA CEO Dennis Mumble as he launched a scathing critique of Sport, Arts, and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie. Mumble has stepped into the fray to explain why he believes the minister is “misguided” regarding the inner workings and responsibilities of SAFA.
Minister McKenzie has been vocal on SAFA politics, including the latest chaos at an NEC meeting in Nasrec last weekend. He has also called on those unhappy with the current president, Danny Jordaan, to use the upcoming elections to challenge him.
This is after those against Jordaan accused him of ignoring their concerns about the organisation’s state.
Meanwhile, McKenzie said he would inform CAF and FIFA of his intention to investigate the recent chaos at the NEC meeting. However, Mumble says he totally disagrees with the ministers’ approach regarding the issues at SAFA.
WHY THE FORMER SAFA CEO DISAGREES WITH THE MINISTER OF SPORT, ARTS AND CULTURE
“I fundamentally disagree with the minister because he has a misguided view of the role of the football association,” Mumble told FARPost.
DENNIS MUMBLE SAYS HE WILL ADDRESS GAYTON MCKENZIE WHEN HE SEES HIM
“He gives us the impression that the role of the football association is only about the national teams. The football association is responsible for governing the sport in the country, and if the governance system is toxic or is in the state that it is now, then the minister is on the wrong track.
“If I see him, I will tell him to his face that he is on the wrong track. He has a misunderstanding of what the football association is all about. The football association is not just about the national teams,” he added.
“It’s supposed to govern the sport in the country. Meaning that it has to promote the rule of law, fairness, and transparency, in addition to promoting development, which is the core responsibility. But the typical football association has about 20 different responsibilities, including the ones I just mentioned. But he has a complete misunderstanding, and as a minister, he has to know better.”
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