The South African Football Association has elected three vice-presidents at the first ordinary meeting of its newly constituted National Executive Committee.

SAFA announced the appointments in an official statement published on 18 October 2026.

Anastasia “Natasha” Tsichlas, Linda Zwane and Tankiso Modipa will serve as SAFA vice-presidents for the next four years. The election took place in Sandton, Johannesburg, on Sunday, 18 October 2026.

Zwane and Tsichlas return to the vice-presidential roles, while Modipa joins them as a new appointee.

First meeting after SAFA elections

The gathering was the new NEC’s first ordinary meeting since SAFA’s elective congress in Midrand on 12 September 2026. Danny Jordaan was re-elected as president at that congress.

According to SAFA, the three vice-presidents were selected from members elected to the national list. The association said the vote was conducted by open ballot, with the counting visible to NEC members.

Jordaan said the process was intended to demonstrate transparency in the election of the association’s senior leadership.

What the vice-presidents will work on

The new leadership team is expected to work with SAFA chief executive Lydia Monyepao on the association’s Vision 2030 programme.

SAFA identified school football, player development, stronger national teams and coaching education as central parts of that programme. The reference to 2030 aligns the strategy with the next men’s FIFA World Cup cycle, which will culminate in Morocco, Portugal and Spain.

The appointments therefore matter beyond the titles themselves. SAFA’s leadership will be judged on whether its plans produce visible progress in youth structures, coach development and the performance of South Africa’s national teams.

Doctor Khumalo takes technical committee role

Former Bafana Bafana midfielder Doctor Khumalo was appointed vice-chairperson of SAFA’s Technical Committee. He will serve alongside committee chairperson Jack Maluleke.

Khumalo, a member of South Africa’s 1996 Africa Cup of Nations-winning squad, brings experience from both playing and technical roles. His appointment places one of the country’s most recognisable former players closer to decisions concerning football development and technical policy.

The NEC also appointed a number of other committees, including those responsible for finance, schools football and competitions.

Governance matters discussed

The meeting also dealt with issues that followed the September election campaign.

NEC member Lebogang Riet confirmed that he had withdrawn a criminal complaint against Monyepao. SAFA quoted Riet as saying that the association’s leadership should move beyond the election campaign and focus on the growth of football.

Jack Ramorei of North West also told the meeting that he had not opened a police case against another NEC member.

Before the ordinary meeting, SAFA and FIFA held a two-day induction workshop for the new NEC and senior management at the same Sandton venue. Sessions covered governance, financial oversight, leadership, development programmes and women’s football.

The test for SAFA’s new leadership

The appointments complete an important part of SAFA’s leadership structure, but the practical test will be implementation.

South African football continues to face questions about development pathways, administrative stability and the strength of domestic structures below professional level. Progress towards Vision 2030 will depend on measurable plans, clear responsibility and regular public reporting.

Primary source: South African Football Association statement, 18 October 2026. Additional context was checked against SAFA’s statutes and reporting on the NEC appointments.

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