By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Danny Jordaan has been re-elected as the South African Football Association (Safa) president after beating his challenger Sandile Zungu at the elective congress in Midrand.
Jordaan received 157 votes to Zungu’s 82, cementing his position as the head of the association for a record-extending fourth consecutive term.
Amid reports that the congress faced threats and potential disruptions to prevent proceedings from moving forward as planned, SAFA responded by significantly heightening security for delegates, officials, and media.
The congress voting power was split between the 52 Regions, the Premier Soccer League (PSL) as the Special Member, and various Associate Members.
The Jordaan era was characterised by power and grip. He was an instrumental figure in bringing the 2010 World Cup to the country, and the continent, for the first time.
His contribution spans the unification of South African football after apartheid, the successful delivery of the World Cup, and leadership of SAFA as president for three terms.
That is a monumental, historic achievement that can and must never be taken away from him.
He has held the position for 13 years, having first been elected in 2013 and winning again in 2022.
Jordaan has been in and out of court since November 2024, when he was arrested and charged with fraud within Safa.
His arrest came along with those of Safa’s chief of finance, Gronie Hluyo, the federation’s former chief executive Russell Paul and businessman Trevor Neethling.
Despite this, Jordaan still enjoys the overall backing of Safa’s national executive committee (NEC), as well as that of regional soccer structures affiliated with the custodian of South African soccer.