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Safa presidential hopeful Ria Ledwaba has received backing in her bid to ascend the local football echelons from an unlikely supporter.
On Tuesday, the EFF declared its support for Ledwaba in the lead-up to the Safa elective conference on June 25.
The build-up has not been without drama. Last week, Ledwaba was a no-show at an event that was meant to launch her campaign.
READ: Ria’s planned press conference threatened by Safa
She did not pitch up at a media conference where she was supposed to deliver her presidential manifesto after Safa sent a circular to its members that “no nominated person must present himself or herself as a candidate in the public prior to the governance committee having finalised its work”.
The move was seen by some as an attempt to gag Ledwaba from holding the conference to accept her nomination and kick-start her campaign.
In a statement issued by the EFF on Tuesday, the political party slammed Safa’s move, saying it was an attempt at stifling Ledwaba from engaging the public on the merits of her candidacy.
EFF Statement On The Support Of Ria Ledwaba For SAFA Presidency pic.twitter.com/b01gyF8DBr
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) May 17, 2022
The party was of the view that the move was “a patriarchal, politically motivated and shallow campaign by old men who have no meaningful contribution in football administration”... and called Safa “an institution that has been characterised by mediocrity, failure and [lack of] direction for more than a decade”.
The EFF said Safa has an opportunity to transform itself for the better and to promote women in leadership.
Ledwaba, who is one of the incumbent Safa vice-presidents, has the credentials to challenge her principal, Danny Jordaan, for the top seat, the party said.
“The EFF states its unequivocal support for Ria Ledwaba, who has, despite bullying and intimidation, availed herself for the position of Safa president,” the party said in its statement.
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