By Gcina Ntsaluba
The World Cup might be running like a well-oiled machine on the surface but behind the closed doors of the Local Organising Committee offices, a “war” is brewing.
Conspiracy theories of a possible coup d’état on chief organiser Danny Jordaan by his deputy, Irvin Khoza, have been going around, and according to Jordaan’s own admission, the war is coming after the World Cup.
Jordaan reckons that the war will be against him and the instigators of it are plotting to remove him from his job. I don’t know whether this is just paranoia coming from a powerful man who has insecurity issues and doesn’t trust his right-hand man, or a sign to what awaits us after the World Cup.
Of course conspiracy theories are not new to this country. Therefore I’m sure that this is not the first or the last.
But I imagine that it would be unpleasant for patriotic football supporters of this country to learn that the two men who worked tirelessly for years to bring the World Cup to this country have fallen out to such an extent.
Over what?
Power over football!
It just goes to show that the “beautiful game” can unite and divide people just as quickly. Your friends can quickly become your enemies.
What is concerning about Jordaan’s assertion about the coming war is the timing because we are still in the middle of the World Cup.
I think it’s a bit too soon for a square up over power. At least let the tourists leave first before we go back to our South African way of doing things.
With the power comes the inevitable financial reward that has become the hallmark of the absurd “zeitgeist” that is prevailing with the leadership of this country. Ethics, morality, integrity, loyalty and all these other well meaning words we used to associate with sport and houour are now the exception not the norm.
The linear pathway by which these people are getting on board the “gravy [train's]” is accelerating at such a disturbing rate that it will quickly lead this country into an abyss from which there will be no return.
Gcina Ntsaluba do your research properly. Danny Jordan reports to Irvin Khoza not the other way around as you assert.
It is the Jordan camp that has been waging a war against Khoza during the world cup. It is a known fact that after the world cup Danny would be jobless. Therefore, Nematandani has been trying to amend the constitution of SAFA in order to accommodate Danny as a third deputy president while taking away the powers / duties of Irvin who is a deputy president by virtue of being a chairperson of the league. We know who have done a lot for our soccer; it is not Danny (a deployee from parliament) but Irvin Khoza, Jomo Sono, Kaizer Motoung, Natasha Tsichlas, Petros Molemela and many others.
Continued ..
Irvin has a lot of enemies and his leadership style may not be appreciated by all (including myself) but making him a villain is uncalled for. Some of us have noticed that his achievements have never been appreciated or have been given to others. Some of them are:
• He is the brain behind South Africa hosting the world cup (even using his own money) an achievement now accorded to Danny.
• He has made the PSL the richest league in Africa and the eight richest in the world.
• PSL brand is now sold to various countries; our games are the most watched in Africa and the brand is entering European countries.
• Helped a number of small teams to acquire sponsorships
• Increase in grants obtained by both PSL and Mvela league.
• A powerful Blackman who has archived most through shrewd business acumen in a country that has a legacy of apartheid and currently tender-preneurship.
The list is endless …
Explain to us…how do you arrive at calling Irvin Khoza, Jordan’s deputy? I suppose it is only so your theory of a brewing war and a coup sound plausible. Sorry piece of writing!
And an aweful lack of money into development which is hampering the growth of dynamic and effective soccer teams in SA. About time that SAFA put money into development instead of their own pockets
Interesting counter point Mtimande, will check it out. Media people provide a valuable service to society, but you have to get your facts straight or you’ll be caught out.