Safa president, Dr Danny Jordaan will lead a powerful delegation to the burial of the late global icon, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela at his Qunu homestead on Sunday.
The Safa president will be accompanied by his deputies, Elvis Shishana, Irvin Khoza (who is also Premier Soccer League chair) and Lucas Nhlapo and will include NEC members Ria Ledwaba, Xolile Nkompela, Anastasia Tsichlas and Pooby Govindasamy.
“We as Safa believe that the high-profile of our delegation is a sincere recognition of the role Nelson Mandela played within our sport,” said Dr Jordaan.
“This is the man who played a significant role in South Africa being readmitted back into the Fifa football family soon after his release,” he said.
Dr Jordaan said Madiba had also played key roles in the country hosting the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations tournament as well as influencing delegates to vote for South Africa for the successful 2010 World Cup bid.
“Most countries would talk about their magnificent stadiums and modern airports and roads but we had Nelson Mandela. Other countries used to complain that it was unfair and not equal.”
He said it was somewhat a sad ending because come the 2010 World Cup, the world icon was already ill to enjoy the fruits of his labour but his appearance at the Soccer City waving to the crowd is still one of the most moving moments ever witnessed.
“We told him to just go out on the car, wave to the people and go back and rest.”
