At a time when South African sports administration is reeling from leadership turmoil – highlighted by the recent shock suspension of Sascoc president Barry Hendricks over safeguarding allegations – Deputy Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Peace Mabe has sent a stern warning to warring sports federations: the government will not subsidize boardroom battles.
Speaking at the handover of a new multi-sport facility at Oceanview Primary School in Chatsworth in Durban – a joint initiative between the department, Nedbank, and the Sports Trust – Mabe directly addressed the leadership crises currently crippling several national sporting bodies.
Asked how the department plans to intervene amid growing concerns over executive instability ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, Mabe emphasized that federations must take internal responsibility for the people they elect to leadership positions.
“Federations are formed by human beings,” Mabe said. “We’ve said in one of our budget speeches that if you fight amongst yourselves as federations, we will not use the department’s money to defend your battles in court. So if you take each other to court, it will be at your own cost.”
Mabe urged voters in sports bodies to exercise greater care when selecting executive members, warning that personal agendas are actively undermining athlete development.
“If people are meant to come together to facilitate the development of sports, what makes them fight? Because sport is supposed to unite us,” Mabe said.
“When we vote for people to represent us in federations, be careful of who you vote for. Vote for people that you know love the sport, love the country, love the children, and whose meetings will always be about the development of sports – nothing else.”
Pressed on whether the department is worried about the timing of these administrative disruptions with the LA 2028 Olympic cycle already underway, Mabe acknowledged the delicate balance between government oversight and the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC’s) strict rules against state interference.
While reassuring the public that the ministry maintains a strong working relationship with international bodies, she maintained that the department’s primary mandate remains upholding safety, fairness, and accountability across domestic sport.
“As government, we’ll always have a role to play, and where we are not supposed to cross the boundaries, of course we are aware of them,” Mabe said. “It’s our responsibility to make sure that sport is free and fair and that people feel safe playing. We do have a very good working relationship with the IOC.”
