Safa Elections: Sandile Zungu banks on King Misuzulu’s support to swing KwaZulu-Natal vote

With the South African Football Association (Safa) elective congress just days away, presidential challenger Sandile Zungu is banking on support from KwaZulu-Natal as his high-stakes battle with incumbent Danny Jordaan reaches its climax.

Zungu is challenging Jordaan for the Safa presidency and believes the groundwork he has laid across the association’s 52 regions — including KZN’s 11 regions — has placed him in a strong position ahead of Saturday’s vote.

The AmaZulu FC chairman and prominent businessman has drawn further confidence from the public endorsement of Zulu King Misuzulu kaZwelithini, who has called for football leaders to back Zungu’s candidacy.

AmaZulu royal chancellor Inkosi Malusi Zondi confirmed the King had urged all 11 Safa regions in KZN to unite behind Zungu. Zondi also called on Kwenza Ngwenya, the Safa KZN provincial chairperson, to heed the monarch’s call and bridge internal divides before delegates assemble.

“We are urging and hoping that Mr Kwenza Ngwenya will heed the call made by His Majesty that all football regions must put their differences aside and go to the congress as one,” Zondi said. “This is not about individuals, but the province and the future of football.”

Zungu echoed those sentiments during a media briefing in Sandton on Monday, while issuing a subtle warning to delegates considering voting against the King’s wishes.

“KZN is divided. I come from that province, and I was nominated from KwaZulu-Natal. Trust me, a lot of good work has been done there,” Zungu declared. “Out of 11 regions, we may not get all of them, but we will secure the backing of the majority, and that is for certain.

“King Misuzulu kaZwelithini has pronounced his support for my Safa candidacy. Those who come from the region know the word from the King carries immense weight, whether you like it or not. Even if you defy it, you know your conscience will bother you. So, those who defy the King’s instruction, bayobonakala ngombala [we will see their true colours].”

Zungu also took aim at Jordaan’s recent campaign stop in Durban, dismissing the opposition’s momentum in the province.

“We saw the pictures of what we call the ‘Last Supper’ in Durban recently, and you could see people who were unhappy hanging around [Jordaan],” Zungu noted.

“All I can say is that KZN is gone — that I can assure you. KZN is gone, and that gives us confidence that we are marching forward to victory come 12 September.”

With KZN holding 11 of Safa’s 52 voting regions, the province represents a massive voting bloc. Zungu now faces the ultimate test of whether the royal endorsement and regional lobbying will translate into ballots when members vote on 12 September.