South African football is the biggest sporting industry in South Africa, mainly predicated on the television deal it has with DStv but also because of all the other economic activity around it.

Overall, the sports industry is said to contribute more or less R50 billion to the country’s economy per annum and is responsible for the employment of more than 500 000 people in South Africa.

Powerful men and women sit at the head of this industry, making the key decisions that dictate the course of the domestic game. Overall, the sports industry is said to contribute more or less R50 billion to the country’s economy per annum and is responsible for the employment of more than 500 000 people in South Africa. But just who are the 10 most powerful persons at work in South African football?

NO. 1: PATRICE MOTSEPE
The mining magnate, who was a lawyer when he began his career, bought his way into Mamelodi Sundowns some 20 years ago now and has since dramatically changed the landscape of the South African game. His deep pockets have turned the Brazilians into a behemoth and tipped the traditional order away from Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates, who no longer have sway over the country’s best players. He has since been elevated to the boss of the Confederation of African Football.

He has had to formally give up the presidency of the club but is still very much running matters behind the scenes, with all major decisions, especially transfers, going through him. He now calls Sundowns “the family business”.

As CAF president he now has a seat at the high table of the game, as he is automatically a FIFA vice president. It was FIFA president Gianni Infantino who moved to install him, seeking an alternate to a string of corruptiontainted African football-federation presidents itching to stick their snouts into the money trough. Motsepe is so extraordinarily wealthy that he does not take a cent for his CAF work and pays all his own travel bills.

NO. 2: IRVIN KHOZA

The chair of the Premier Soccer League has held powerful sway over the professional game for more than 20 years. He is widely feared by club bosses and although PSL meetings can often descend into lively arguments, few ever dare to cross him. Many believe without him, sponsorship would wane although, to be fair, the league always had a full bouquet of sponsors decades before he took over as chair. Now 76 years old, he is still at the office daily, but rarely at games. Khoza started out as security and then club secretary before taking over the reins of an ailing Pirates in the early 90s, controversially turning a community organisation into a private company. He was also the chair of the 2010 World Cup organising committee.

NO. 3: IMTIAZ PATEL

Formerly the boss at SuperSport, then Multichoice, and now right near the top of the television business, it was Patel who did the deal with Khoza to take the television rights away from the SABC in 2007 and move them to SuperSport instead. His company paid over R1 billion to the PSL for a renewal of these rights, effectively making him the game’s paymaster.

NO. 4: KAIZER MOTAUNG

Although rapidly handing over power at his club to his children and taking a back seat, Motaung’s opinions are still highly valued and any initiative still needs his buy-in. His club remain by far the best supported in the country and attract the most sponsorship, but he will be mightily concerned that they are rapidly losing that position after nine seasons without a trophy.

NO. 5: DANNY JORDAAN

As president of the South African Football Association he is vital to the sport’s ecosystem, although his own power and influence are waning in the wake of scandal. It is a long way from his glory days as the man who delivered a successful 2010 World Cup. There is much jostling in the ranks to line up to be the next president, but Jordaan has hinted he will stand again for yet another term.

NO. 7: SHAMEEL JOOSUB

The Vodacom CEO has been intimately involved in the lucrative sponsorship deals for both Chiefs and Pirates and as boss of one of the country’s largest corporations – and biggest sponsor of sport in the country – he wields enormous influence, even if his direct involvement, or interest, in the game is limited.

NO. 8: GLYN BINKIN

The Pretoria-based player agent, or intermediatory, as they are called these days, has 14 players at champions Sundowns alone, which means he has been party to most of the major deals that have gone down in the country in recent seasons. He began his career in the game as the team manager of the Bafana Bafana squad that won the 1996 Cup of Nations finals.

NO. 9: ZOLA MAJAVU

The prosecutor of the PSL has the task of keeping all the clubs honest and ensuring discipline is maintained. More importantly, he must ensure a sense of fair play and that the rules apply to all. It is his second spell as prosecutor, but he is a lot more lenient these days than he was when he first started out.

NO. 10: THOMAS MLAMBO

Media influence on the game has waned with the death of print so it is SuperSport who now set the agenda and Mlambo who influences all the relevant debates. He returned to the channel after a decade-long stay at the SABC and immediately took over all the major shows on SS2.

Photo by Djaffar Ladjal/BackpagePix

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Chiefs announced Baxter’s return to Naturena on Wednesday as they look to return to former glories after six seasons without silverwar.

In the former Bafana Bafana coach’s first stint at Chiefs he won four trophies between 2012 and 2015, including two league titles.

Speaking following the appointment Motaung revealed that the club’s management believes Baxter suits Chiefs philosophy and culture.

“We believe we are on track with the changes we have made so far in the coaching and technical department after a challenging season domestically,” said the chairman.

“After extensive reviews and consultations, we decided to appoint Stuart because we believe he is one coach who understands our philosophy and culture.

“We know his work ethic and believe he will work with the team we have at the moment while trying to rebuild and ensure we have a formidable side for the new season.”

“It has been six years since Stuart left Chiefs after winning the league trophy in 2015, but he departed on good terms and remains a well-liked figure by many supporters, colleagues and some of the players he coached at the time.

“We believe he will be able to work within our current set up and will use the time to understand some of the players he’s not familiar with.

“We need the coach to have enough time and prepare adequately for the new season. We did not have a decent pre-season due to Covid-19 and other factors last season, so we hope to use the CAF Champions League journey as a part of our preparation while trying to do well in the competition.

“It won’t be easy, but we believe the team and the technical staff around him will help with the transition.”

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The 51-year-old put pen to paper on an initial three-year contract, with the option of extending his stay at Amakhosi for a further two years.

Ntseki will now have the responsibility of advising on all technical operations and developing the strategy for the senior team, Chiefs’ Youth Development Academy and the reserves.

The former Bafana Bafana coach will also work with all the members of the senior team and also oversee the club’s Development Academy and scouting department to help with maintaining the link between the academy and the first team.

WATCH: Motaung outlines Ntseki’s role at Chiefs

A word from our Chairman on the new appointment, Molefi Ntseki, the Head of Technical and Youth Development Academy #Amakhosi4Life #WelcomeNtseki pic.twitter.com/LFgvUtOjxP

— Kaizer Chiefs (@KaizerChiefs) May 31, 2021

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The 51-year-old will stay at the club for an initial period of three years, with an option to extend his stay for another two years.

Ntseki’s appointment comes after Amakhosi looked to further strengthen the institution’s technical operations of building teams that will compete strongly at all levels.

The former Bafana Bafana coach will have the responsibility of advising on all technical operations and developing the strategy for the senior team, Chiefs Youth Development Academy and the reserves.

The Free State-born tactician is not new to Chiefs as he has worked with members of the Chiefs technical team during his time with Bafana Bafana as a coach, where he called up assistant coach Arthur Zwane, goalkeeper-coach Lee Baxter and analyst Mark Davy to work with him during a number of international matches.

Speaking on his appointment, Amakhosi chairman Kaizer Motaung said: ‘We are delighted to have Molefi Ntseki at Kaizer Chiefs.

‘Molefi comes at the right time as we implement changes that we believe are necessary for the club as we go into the future. We strongly believe that we have appointed the right person for the position as he is someone who has really worked at all stages of football, from school level, youth structures and all our national teams.

‘We want to make progress in the way we run our football technical operations at all levels,’ adds Motaung. ‘We also do not want to lose all the good lessons we have learned in as far as our Youth Development Academy is concerned. Kaizer Chiefs has seen good players come through our youth structures and we would like for that to continue.

‘We look forward to Molefi’s contribution within the Kaizer Chiefs set-up. We believe he will work well with all the coaches from senior to junior levels and members of the technical team as we continue to build the club and maintain its position in South African football and growth in Africa.’

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The Soweto giants extended their winless run across all competition following their goalless draw against CD Primeiro de Agosto in the Caf Champions League clash on Wednesday.

Amakhosi last saw victory when they defeat PWD Bamenda 1-0 at the Stade Omnisport de Limbé in the previous round of the Champions League on Sunday, 29 November 2020.

However, Motaung is confident that Hunt and his technical team will turn the club’s fortunes around and end their trophy drought.

‘The 2020/21 football season started with the changes by introducing the new coaching team of coach Gavin Hunt assisted by Dillon Shepard and Arthur Zwane.

‘We have not made changes to the playing personnel at the start of the season due reasons we all know.

‘However, we have roped in the new technical team which is working hard now to turnaround the fortunes of the team to return to winning trophies.

‘We started the season slow but we are working hard to turn the corner and returning to winning ways.

‘We have also made our return to continental football after qualifying for the CAF Champions League. We must exercise patience and let the coaches work on the team. We will soon bring back the smiles on our supporter’s faces.’

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Motaung received the honour at a glittering ceremony in Sandton on Saturday, 12 December.

The event recognises men and women who shape our cultural landscape – those men and women who are wise, inspiring and the most talented people of the year. The event was the brand’s second GQ Men of the Year awards ceremony held in South Africa and on the African continent.

Among Motaung’s countless accolades, the chairman received the National Order of Ikhamanga in 2013. In the same year he received the Black Business Executive Circle Chairman’s award.

The club chairman’s son, Kaizer Motaung Jr, who represented and accepted the award on behalf of his father, said: ‘I wish to accept this award on behalf of my father and mentor, Mr Kaizer Motaung Sr,’ Motaung Jr told the club’s official website.

‘I’d like to say thank you to GQ South Africa for recognising the original glamour boy. He is a true leader and innovator. He is a king among kings to us.’

Meanwhile, Pascal Asin, managing director of Moët Hennessy for Africa and the Middle East, said: ‘This year, Hennessy VSOP Privilège presented the Lifetime Achievement award to Kaizer Motaung.

‘The award recognises an individual who has made a significant contribution to South African sport over the last 50 years and who continues to be dedicated to the progression of the industry.

‘We are honoured to have been able to present this to Kaizer Motaung, an exceptional individual who continues to play a vital role in South African soccer.’

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The Soweto giant will begin their Champions League campaign with a trip to Cameroon when they take on Bamenda at the Omnisports Stadium in Limbe on Sunday.

This will be Amakhosi’s sixth campaign in the African continental competition when they kick start their campaign in the first leg of the preliminary round with their first trip to Cameroon.

Amakhosi will have a training session in Limbe on Friday afternoon on one of the grounds surrounding the stadium before having another training session on the main pitch on Saturday afternoon as they look to get a feel of match like conditions in the picturesque town.

‘This is an important journey for us. It’s our first time playing in Cameroon,’ Motaung told his club’s official website.

‘It happens in our 50th anniversary milestone. And it happens when Cameroon is preparing to host the Africa Cup of Nations. So, we are going out there to fly the South African flag with pride.

‘I wish the team a safe journey and victory on Sunday.’

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Khoza was reappointed as chairman of the National Soccer League (NSL) for the next four years after he ran unopposed for the position.

Meanwhile, the seven positions for the executive committee was voted for by representatives of 32 member clubs contesting the DStv Premiership and GladAfrica Championship, which were tallied up by independent Pricewaterhouse Coopers auditors.

The nominees for the seven positions included: Kaizer Motaung Snr, Mato Madlala, John Comitis, Stanley Matthews, David Thidiela, Rejoice Simelane, Kumbulani Konco, Rantsie Mokoena, Robert Benadie, Siviwe Mpengesi, Lawrence Mulaudzi and Isaac Mulaudzi.

However, former Bidvest Wits CEO and board member Jose Ferreira withdrew from the nominations and was replaced by Stellenbosch FC CEO Rober Bendie.

The NSL then confirmed the new executive committee, which includes Kaizer Motaung, Mato Madlala, John Comitis, Stanley Matthews, David Thidiela, Dr Rejoice Vakashile Simelane and Robert Benadie.

The newly elected executive committee will now serve for the next four years until the 2024 quadrennial general meeting.

PSL Executive Committee Members:
Chairman: Dr Irvin Khoza
1) Kaizer Motaung (Kaizer Chiefs)
2) Mato Madlala (Golden Arrows)
3) John Comitis (Cape Town City)
4) Stanley Matthews (SuperSport United)
5) David Thidiela (Black Leopards)
6) Dr Rejoice Vakashile Simelane (Mamelodi Sundowns)
7) Robert Benadie (Stellenbosch FC)

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The 56-year-old was named Chiefs boss on Thursday afternoon putting an end to all media speculation surrounding the vacant role at Chiefs.

Hunt, speaking to the Chiefs media team following his arrival, revealed how the deal came about, while also stating his excitement of being at club with one of the top standards in world football.

“It’s been an all of a sudden thing, I’m very privileged and happy to be here. This deal only happened in the last day or two. Sometimes in football its all about timing. Our club was sold and there was an opportunity,” Hunt told the Amakhosi media team.

“I’m very excited to start working and see the capacity of the squad. It was unfortunate when the previous coaching staff left. Nothing had happened until the last day or two. Its been handled very professionally. It’s my first time here at Naturena and the set up is impressive.

Gavin Hunt joins Kaizer Chiefs as coach

Gavin Hunt has been appointed as the new head coach of Kaizer Chiefs. His contract will see him take charge of Amakhosi’s first team for the next three seasons.

More information: https://t.co/rhqTYjXYVg#HuntJoinsChiefs #Amakhosi4Life pic.twitter.com/B2UW1S617S

— Kaizer Chiefs (@KaizerChiefs) September 17, 2020

“I’ve never been here in my life, in all the years. I’ve been around a lot of clubs and what I see here has been a real eye-opener. It’s up there with the top standards of world football.”

Hunt also weighed in on the departure of the previous technical team, which was headed by Ernst Middendorp and Shaun Bartlett, saying the pair was just unfortunate not to win the league after the season Amakhosi had.

However, he’s confident that Chiefs can move on from last season’s heartbreak, adding that his main objective is to win trophies.

“We just need to make sure we improve on last year. Ernst and Shaun were very unfortunate,” he said.

“Hopefully we can move on now and try to improve the results cos I’m here to win a few trophies. I know everything at Kaizer Chiefs commercially is huge, but I really just want to focus on the football side, that’s the most important thing for me.”

“I need to try and get a team that suits my eye, plays a brand of football but wins as well. It’s all good trying to play a brand of football, but we also need to win. The club is really hungry for success, there have been a few barren years and we need to turn it around,” added Hunt.

While Middendorp was heavily criticised for his route-one football, Hunt stated that playing good football is nice but getting positive results is also as important.

“That’s what counts, winning things. If we get that right, everything will take care of itself. This is the biggest club in SA football. It has the most supporters. Having played and coached against them, I’ve seen the club grow and the trophies won in the ’80s were unbelievable,” concluded Hunt.

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Following the sacking of Ernst Middendorp, Chiefs confirmed they have decided to part ways with the German coach’s assistant, Bartlett.

The former Bafana Bafana star joined the backroom staff upon Middendorp’s arrival at Naturena, but after shockingly missing out on the league title, Chiefs are looking to clean house.

The club made the announcement on Thursday morning via a statement on their website.

Breaking News!

Kaizer Chiefs Chairman Kaizer Motaung, the Board of Directors and the club’s management would like to further announce that they have agreed to an early termination of assistant coach Shaun Bartlett’s contract.

More info: https://t.co/aChx5QC0Jr#Amakhosi4Life pic.twitter.com/YicI7YztOz

— Kaizer Chiefs (@KaizerChiefs) September 10, 2020

The statement in full:

‘Kaizer Chiefs Chairman Kaizer Motaung, the Board of Directors and the club’s management would like to further announce that they have agreed to an early termination of assistant coach Shaun Bartlett’s contract.

‘The decision to release Bartlett follows that of Amakhosi and head coach Ernst Middendorp going their separate ways yesterday.

‘We would like to once again thank both gentlemen for their service to Kaizer Chiefs over the last 21 months,’ commented chairman Kaizer Motaung.

‘We wish Shaun Bartlett all the best in his future endeavours.’

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