Hendrick Mokganyetsi: I don't engage in dirty campaigns

AGN, South Africa’s most successful and powerful athletics province, is headed to the polls on Saturday at 10am at Pilditch Stadium to elect a new board for 2025-2029. 

Mokganyetsi of Tshwane University of Technology and Mathane of Mamelodi Athletics Club are vying for the presidency, with the former seeking a second term, while the latter is bidding for a third following his ousting in 2021.

In an interview with SABC Sport last week, Mathane did not hold back, accusing the current board of maladministration, increasing licence fees, and neglecting development programs, but Mokganyetsi dismissed the accusations and refused to engage in a quarel.

"We are excited and looking forward to the event on Saturday. I think the project that I did in 2021 was my campaign strategy and I said, when I came in for the first term, that their support and belief in me from the athletics clubs will make us succeed as a province," the incumbent told the public broadcaster. 

"And it will depend on the clubs on how they vote and view my previous four years in office – I predict a tight election result, and it will always be like that because people believe they should be a contest and not a walk over. 

"For me, I am not going to campaign dirty. The clubs know what I have done as a leader."

A three-time 400m Olympic representative for South Africa and current chairperson of Athletics South Africa's Athletics Commission, Mokganyetsi shared his motive for a second term.

“There are several reasons why I’ve decided to run for the presidency again – I believe my work is not yet done. There are still challenges to tackle, goals to achieve, and dreams waiting to be realised," he explained. 

"That’s why I’m putting myself forward once more. I want to continue leading AGN, complete the projects we’ve started, and build even stronger relationships with our stakeholders, sponsors, parents, and supporters. 

"I’m focused on the task at hand and have no intention of resorting to dirty campaigning – that’s simply not who I am. We’ve received both local and international recognition and achieved a lot. I’ve maintained an open-door policy and never ruled with an iron fist."

Mathane is running for the presidency and vice-presidency, while Mokganyetsi is only interested in the top seat. 

"I believe that once you’ve reached that level, there’s no need to step down to vice president or board member. If I’m out, let someone else take over," he concluded.

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