EFF, COPE throw weight behind Ria Ledwaba | African News

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has become the latest political party to show support for Ria Ledwaba’s candidacy for the South Africa Football Association [Safa] presidency. This comes after the Congress of the People [COPE] issued a statement saying it was time to “hand over the leadership of Safa to a woman president”. 

Ledwaba had to make an eleventh-hour U-turn from addressing the media at what was meant to be her presidential campaign launch last week with fears the move could have resulted in her ejection from the race. 

Ledwaba has raised her hand to challenge the incumbent Danny Jordaan, alongside Nomsa Mahlangu and Ngoako Mohlabeng at next month’s presidential elections. However, they are waiting to be cleared by Safa’s governance committee.

“The EFF states its unequivocal support for Ria Ledwaba, who has, despite bullying and intimidation, availed herself for the South African Football Association (SAFA) Presidency position,” EFF said in a statement.

“Born in Medingen, just outside Modjadjiskloof in Limpopo. Ledwaba has a rich history in football, having been the first woman to own a football club popularly known as Ria Stars.”

“Ledwaba has exhibited a passion for the development of youth and women’s football and her tenacity for unearthing youth, produced football leaders such as Teko Modise, Lucky Lekgwathi and has seen her pioneer initiatives to promote women’s football.”

The EFF further slammed SAFA, saying the board had failed to treat women in football fairly like men, believing that under the leadership of Ledwaba, women’s football would be promoted, and equality would be brought.

“SAFA is an institution that has been characterised by mediocrity, failure and directionless for more than a decade. There is no progress on grass-roots development of football; women remain underpaid compared to their male counterparts, and the men’s national team, in particular, does not inspire confidence.”

“The election of Ria Ledwaba will be a breath of fresh air in the footballing fraternity. She will have a meaningful appreciation of the disparity between the development and treatment of female football stars and those who are male.”

“SAFA has an opportunity to transform itself for the better by placing Ledwaba as its President and allowing her to flood the institution’s ranks with footballing legends who have an experience of football practically.”

“The era of using SAFA as means to deploy politics and maintain patronage must come to an end if South Africa is to be considered a footballing country genuinely. In Ledwaba, we are once again presented with an opportunity to promote women leadership.”

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