Zizi Kodwa takes youthful approach in new Boxing South Africa Board

In a press conference in Pretoria this morning, Kodwa announced the new board headed by former promoter Sifiso Shongwe, with CAF Head of TV Luxolo September, broadcaster Romy Titus and Nande Mpshe, Princess Nongoma, and Mary Sitata also among the members.

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Sakhiwe Sodo is the only remaining member from the old board, and Kodwa says boxing needs some fresh and young brains.

"The reality is that South Africa is getting much younger. What we did, besides the competency and diverse skills we brought into the board, we looked at what are the challenges facing Boxing SA now," explained Kodwa.

"Obviously we need some new thinking there, there's no doubt about it. You need some innovation. You need people who can understand this issue of financially reviewing your model – it can't depend on the state and government forever.

"So, we need people to say, to promote this important sport, what else do we need to do? Obviously, with the support of government. So that is what we looked at.

"And then we looked at, within the number of applicants – there were many, I must say – competent men and women, that's why we've got four women in the board.

"If you look at their background and the kind of calibre they bring, it is what you need in BSA at the moment."

The outgoing BSA board, which was headed by Luthando Jack and included Ntsikayezwe Sithole, Khulile Radu, Gilberto Martins, Suren Maharaj and Dr. Azwitamisi Nthangeni as members, had also been clouded by corporate governance issues as well as violations of the South African Boxing Act at times.

Kodwa is clear on what he’s expecting from the new board on governance matters.

"When we first came to office, after meeting with Sascoc and other 'big five' federations, our emphasis was that if we are to get anything right as federations, it's governance and leadership," outlined the minister.

"Once you get those two right, and I think you'll see, there's improvement in a number of federations because they've improved in these two.

"One of the immediate tasks of the new BSA board is these two challenges – you need to stabilise leadership, and you need to do right on governance, there shouldn't be any question about it."

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