The South African Football Association (Safa) on Monday appointed it’s first female Chief Executive Officer, with Lydia Monyepao taking over following the departure of Tebogo Motlanthe.
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News of Motlanthe’s resignation broke at the end of last week, and Safa convened an emergency meeting on Sunday, following which Safa president Danny Jordaan hosted a press conference at Safa house on Monday morning.
Slightly bizarrely, the press conference started with Motlanthe denying the authenticity of a letter of resignation that leaked over the weekend on social media.
In the letter, published by well-regarded African football journalist Osasu Obayiuwana, Motlanthe claims there were hidden cameras placed in his office invading his privacy, that he felt like a “glorified clerk” and that his health was being affected by the job.
At the press conference on Monday, Motlanthe simply said he had resigned for “personal reasons”.
Monyepao is a former Banyana Banyana player and team manager who steps up to CEO from the role of Chiefs Operations Officer (COO).
Monyepao’s Linkedin profile, written before her promotion to CEO describes her as follows:
“Ms Lydia Monyepao is a versatile financial and sport management expert with various degrees and certificates in Commerce, Accounting, (Sport) Management and Leadership.
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“Currently the Chief Operating Officer at the South African Football Association, Ms Monyepao has over 20 years’ work experience in the financial and sport management industries.
“She has also freelanced as a football analyst for the South African Broadcasting Corporation, Kwese Sport, amongst others, with a specific focus on women’s football as a former international player. Ms Monyepao has represented South Africa in football (and basketball) at various international competitions, at student and senior levels (as a player and team manager).
“A former Deputy Director at Tuks Sport (University of Pretoria), Ms Monyepao works as a part-time basis Online Tutor on the International Sport Management programme at the University of London, with a specific focus on Financial Management in Sport, and also assisting with Sport Strategy, Governance and Leadership.”
