Safa presidential hopeful Ria Ledwaba is not perturbed by the assertion made by some high-profile women from Safa structures that they back incumbent Danny Jordaan, labelling them “manipulated”.
During Safa’s extraordinary congress held at Sandton Convention Centre at the weekend, high-profile women leaders like national executive committee member Anastasia Tsichlas and Emma Hendricks, who is Women’s Football SA chairperson, declared their support for Jordaan ahead of Saturday’s elective congress.
Ledwaba and Safa Tshwane president Solly Mohlabeng are challenging Jordaan, who has been in office since 2013, for the presidency.
Speaking to Sowetan on Sunday, Ledwaba, who is supported by several fellow women in the political space such as Gauteng MEC for community safety Faith Mazibuko and former minister Nomvula Mokonyane, made it clear that being rejected by Safa women does not unsettle her.
Ledwaba is of the view the likes of Tsichlas and Hendricks are being manipulated and believes their stance is not a true reflection of how other women across all the regions feel about her.
“I am in good spirits and ready for the elections on June 25. The support from members of Safa, South Africans, including political parties, leaders of society and religious leaders is overwhelming,” Ledwaba said.
“I’m not worried about women being manipulated and used in a picture. I know it does not reflect the women I met in all provinces.
Ledwaba added that she was confident in the work she had done in the short space of time and that she believes she will win the elections.
“People of SA want a change. They want us to bring the beautiful game back on track. I am confident in the work we have put in a very short space of time.
“I am confident that I will do well come the elections for the future of South African football. Change is necessary,” Ledwaba said.
Tsichlas dismissed claims that Safa is anti-women after the congress and said they are going in the right direction.
“At the moment we are going in the right direction and no one will break something that is already there and playing a good role in developing women,” Tsichlas was quoted by Sowetan's sister publication TimesLIVE.
“This is something that we just don’t want to change because we want to continue increasing the number of women in the sport, increasing the achievements and this is very important. As Safa women, we are behind president Jordaan.”
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