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Pressing Issues: ‘The Chairman knows best, and he is never wrong’

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Sport24 columnist S'Busiso Mseleku (File)
Sport24 columnist S'Busiso Mseleku (File)

Two weeks ago, I placed a call to the Premier Soccer League (PSL), to enquire about the date of their annual general meeting.

My enquiry on whether poor writers such as yours truly would be allowed to attend, or if there would be a press conference after, was met with a big “no!”

You see, it’s been a while since the members of the fourth estate have been invited or allowed to be present when the wise men in suits and a woman in a skirt who run South Africa’s professional football come together for their annual gathering.

So I had reason to be shocked and perplexed when this email about a meeting on Tuesday landed in my inbox that same Tuesday:

From: PSL Media [mailto:media@psl.co.za]

Sent: November 10 2015 11:37 AM

To: S’Busiso Mseleku

Subject: Urgent: PSL Chairman Invite: NSL AGM Press Conference

Dear S’BUSISO

The Premier Soccer League Chairman, Dr Irvin Khoza, and PSL CEO, Brand de Villiers, invite you to a post Annual General Meeting Press conference:

Details: Tuesday, November 10

Time: 13h30

Venue: Birchwood Hotel, Boksburg

We sincerely apologise for this late notice.

PSL Media Relations

Luxolo September

No sooner had this email landed when I also received an SMS with a similar message, along with another apology about the “late notice”.

Unfortunately, due to prearranged commitments, I could not make it to the presser.

While I was in and out of meetings that afternoon, I caught snippets of what transpired.

The Chairman’s voice was all over the radio announcing that Brand De Villiers had departed as CEO and Golden Arrows chairperson Mato Madlala would be acting in his position until a replacement was found.

I also heard the Chairman announce that the insurance had paid out for the death last October of Orlando Pirates and Bafana Bafana goalkeeper and skipper Senzo Meyiwa.

I had problems with both announcements. My take was that it was not right to appoint any club chairperson as CEO, be it in an acting or permanent capacity.

I felt such a move was against good corporate governance.

However, the Chairman dealt with that question on Friday, claiming Madlala’s interim appointment could not constitute a conflict of interest.

“This is just a stopgap measure and there is nothing wrong with that,” said the gap-toothed one.

His words reminded me of a heated conversation I once had with a top football official.

It ended with him telling me: “The Chairman knows best, and he is never wrong.”

The following day, the late footballer’s father, Sam Meyiwa, told a daily that he was shocked to learn about the payout from the media.

Should it have been the other way round? Family first and then media? Methinks so.

However, “the Chairman knows best, and he is never wrong”.

The Meyiwa announcement has led to the media being curious about how much the payout is, as well as the terms.

But I doubt that this is appropriate for public consumption.

The league also celebrated 30 years in existence and announced a profit of more than R60 million.

It has indeed made some huge strides from those humble and somewhat painful beginnings as the National Soccer League that led to the death of Aaron “Roadblock” Makhathini, who was gunned down during the split, and the unsavoury stabbing of the late China “Dibaba” Hlongwane in the full glare of television cameras at Ellis Park.

How I wish the media would be allowed to attend such august gatherings of the PSL to share in its successes and failures.

But then again, “the Chairman knows best, and he is never wrong”.

smseleku@citypress.co.za

Follow me on Twitter @Sbu_Mseleku

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