By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
South African Football Association (SAFA) confirmed delegates have received death threats ahead of the Elective Congress to be held in Midrand on Saturday, 12 September 2026.
The incumbent president Danny Jordaan and AmaZulu FC owner Sandile Zungu will vie for the presidency.
Mxolisi Sibam, Mzimkhulu Fina, Solomon Mkhabela, Anastasia Tsichlas, Bennett Bailey, Linda Zwane, Poobalan Govindasamy and Tankiso Modipa, among others confirmed for the National list.
Mosimanegape Mathe, Andile Ngconjana, Bonginkosi Job Mchunu, Kwenzakwakhe Ngwenya, Jack Maluleka, Lebogang Riet and Leanne Jonkers, among others, appear on the final Provincial list.
SAFA also revealed that the Governance Committee confirmed Premier Soccer League (PSL) Chairman Irvin Khoza, Thokozile Madlala, Kaizer Motaung and Sifiso Biyela as the Special Members.
The Committee confirmed the eligibility of the final list of candidates for the position of President, the National Executive Committee (NEC) and the Provincial office.
In an official statement released following an Extraordinary National Executive Committee [NEC] meeting in Midrand on Friday, 11 September 2026, SAFA condemned what it termed a “calculated attempt” to disrupt the democratic process.
SAFA said it will report death threats, harassment, and intimidation against delegates to the SA Police Services (SAPS).
The association also maintained that attempts to derail assembly had failed and vowed to safeguard the voting process for its members.
The congress will see voting power split between the 52 Regions, the PSL as the Special Member, and various Associate Members. They will elect the SAFA President, NEC, and provincial office bearers.
Delegates from FIFA, CAF, COSAFA, and SASCOC will be present alongside Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie.
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.
Zungu, who will have to resign as AmaZulu president if he wins the Safa presidency, is banking on the legal challenges that Jordaan is facing to try to his experienced rival.
The association had battled to meet its financial obligations to its staff, but the department cleared an advance of R5-million from Safa’s annual government grant.
Bafana Bafana’s recent qualification for their first World Cup since 2010 has alleviated some of Safa’s financial strain, even drawing sponsors such Standard Bank and Adidas. But this is not a sustainable model, according to Zungu.