Former SAFA CEO Mumble warns of surprise in presidential election

SAFA president Danny Jordaan has been in power for around a decade.

There is growing pressure for change within South African football.

Former CEO Mumble believes the election is no longer the “ironclad guarantee” that it appeared to be in the past.

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Mumble said there has been substantial opposition building over the past few years, although he stopped short of predicting a Zungu victory.

“There’s been growing opposition, and I know the South African public wants it changed,” Mumble told Newzroom Afrika.

“So let’s hope that the public prevails in this.”

Mumble believes the public’s desire for change does not necessarily guarantee that the result will reflect that sentiment, because the SAFA Congress voters will ultimately decide the election.

“I think what we may see is surprise tomorrow, but you know, nothing is guaranteed,” he said.

“You know, it’s up to the voters.”

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Mumble pointed to the structure of SAFA’s electoral system as one of the factors that could favour an incumbent.

He argued that SAFA’s election process begins at local and regional level well before the national election, giving an incumbent more time to build support.

Mumble also criticised the role of SAFA’s Membership Affairs Committee, arguing that it has been interfering in local and regional elections despite those bodies having their own electoral structures.

The former CEO believes this creates an uneven playing field for challengers.

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He also warned that the numbers being tracked by the campaigns do not necessarily guarantee the final result.

“People will promise you that they’ll vote for you and then end up doing something completely different,” Mumble said.

With Saturday’s vote approaching, Mumble’s message is clear: there is genuine movement towards change, but nothing is guaranteed until the votes are counted.

WHAT ARE YOU EXPECTING?

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