By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
James Moloi has retained his position as Athletics South Africa (ASA) president for a second successive term at the federation’s Qaudrennial General Meeting (QGM) on Saturday.
The elections took place amidst drama that has served to threaten the legitimacy of the event.
John Mathane from Gauteng North takes over as vice-president from Shireen Noble and Kesaoleboga Molotsane from Athletics Free State (AFS) replaces Hendrick Mokganyetsi as the athletes’ representative.
Jean Verster (track and field), Enoch Skosana (road running) and Jakes Jacobs (cross country) retained their positions.
Under Moloi, the ASA was deregistered by the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC).
The deregistration in February 2025 was a result of the ASA failing to file its annual returns and pay its company fees, despite numerous reminders from the CIPC to comply.
When the CIPC notified the ASA that it had been deregistered, it was because the athletics body had last filed its returns in 2021, when James Moloi became its president. Despite the gravity of the matter and the bad light in which it put the ASA, management sought to downplay the issue, with Moloi calling it a “minor problem”.
Moloi’s administration pointed the finger towards Aleck Skhosana’s leadership for the deregistration blunder. However, Moloi’s rival is having none of it. However, it has since been resolved.
Despite the aforementioned administrative struggles, South Africans athletics is clearly in a healthy state currently.