BY Nkosazana Ngwadla
Former Banyana Banyana player and captain, Lydia Monyepao has been appointed the new South African Football Association (SAFA) CEO following the resignation of Tebogo Motlanthe.
She was the association’s COO. Lady Skills as she was known in her playing days, was named CEO in a press conference called by SAFA president Danny Jordan on Monday in Johannesburg
Lydia is the first-ever female SAFA CEO, she holds various qualifications in Commerce, Accounting, as well as Sports Management and Leadership.
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.”
Image: Instagram
