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Death threats, harassment hit SAFA delegates ahead of elective congress
The South African Football Association (SAFA) was forced to heighten security around its elective congress after several delegates reportedly received death threats, while others were subjected to harassment and intimidation ahead of the leadership vote in Midrand.
The threats emerged as SAFA prepared for one of its most closely watched presidential elections, with incumbent Danny Jordaan facing businessman and AmaZulu owner Sandile Zungu for the presidency.
SAFA said the threats would be reported to the police and insisted that the congress would proceed despite the security concerns.
Death threats reported
In a statement issued ahead of the congress, SAFA confirmed that several delegates had received death threats.
“Several delegates have received death threats while others have been harassed and intimidated ahead of the SAFA Elective Congress,” the association said.
SAFA added: “SAFA takes these threats very seriously and the police will be notified accordingly.”
The association said security around the venue had been tightened following the threats sent to delegates.
The revelations added another layer of tension to an already heated election campaign, with competing factions publicly challenging aspects of the association’s governance and electoral processes.
SAFA says congress will continue
Despite the threats, SAFA maintained that the elective congress would go ahead as planned.
The association described the latest incidents as an escalation following what it called attempts to derail the congress and cast doubt on the legitimacy of the electoral process.
“These threats and intimidation are an escalation after the calculated attempts to derail the Elective Congress and cast aspersions about the processes failed to achieve the desired objective,” SAFA said.
“The Elective Congress will go ahead as planned after weeks of planning and preparation, and SAFA will protect the right of its members to freely exercise their right to elect leaders of their choice.”
The association held an Extraordinary National Executive Committee meeting in Midrand on Friday, shortly before the congress.
A closely watched presidential race
The security concerns came as Jordaan and Zungu faced off in a contest that had generated significant attention within South African football.
Jordaan, who has led SAFA since 2013, was seeking another term, while Zungu entered the race promising major changes to the organisation’s governance and administration.
Zungu had raised several concerns during his campaign, including allegations relating to the electoral process, the banning of certain regions, outstanding Bafana Bafana World Cup bonuses and the implementation of video assistant referee technology.
The campaign had consequently become increasingly combative, with the competing camps offering sharply different visions for the future of South African football.
Who could vote
The congress brought together SAFA’s voting members, including its regions, the Premier Soccer League as a special member and associate members.
SAFA had also invited a number of football and government stakeholders, including representatives from FIFA, CAF, COSAFA and SASCOC, as well as Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie and football legends.
The election was also expected to determine members of SAFA’s national executive committee and provincial structures.
Jordaan ultimately retained the presidency
The threats overshadowed the build-up to the congress, which took place at Vodaworld in Midrand on Saturday, 12 September.
Jordaan ultimately secured a fourth term as SAFA president, defeating Zungu by 157 votes to 82.
The result means Jordaan will remain at the helm of South African football for another four-year term, while pressure is likely to continue around questions of governance, accountability and the future direction of the association.
The reported threats, meanwhile, have placed an additional spotlight on the increasingly bitter contest and raised concerns about the safety of officials and delegates involved in SAFA’s internal political processes.
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Kaya 959 turns up the heat as Chefs & Chenin talent cooks live on air
Kaya 959 is bringing the flavours of the inaugural Chefs & Chenin Festival to its listeners, with some of the chefs taking over the station for a live cooking experience ahead of the two-day culinary celebration.
Chef Mahalia Jackson, Jacques Venter, Chef Tebogo Morgan and Saviour Moyo will be showcasing their culinary skills on air, giving listeners a taste of what they can expect when Chefs & Chenin takes place at Crawford International Sandton College on 26 and 27 September 2026.
The festival is presented in partnership with Kaya 959 and celebrates two distinctly South African passions – cooking over fire and Chenin Blanc.
Bringing the festival to Kaya 959
The live cooking sessions give Kaya 959 listeners an opportunity to get closer to the chefs and the food that will form part of the festival experience.
Rather than simply talking about what is coming, the chefs are putting their skills on display in the Kaya 959 studio, building anticipation for a weekend where food will be cooked over open flames and paired with South Africa’s much-loved Chenin Blanc.
The festival is designed as a celebration of food, wine, music and local creativity, with a Harvest Market, live entertainment, kids’ activities and an art exhibition also forming part of the programme.
Meet the chefs
Chef Mahalia Jackson brings more than three decades of experience in the culinary industry to the line-up. She is an executive chef, entrepreneur and published author, and has been the managing director of Added Touch Catering & Events since 2005.
Her career has included major corporate events and high-profile gatherings, with Jackson also having served guests including former presidents Nelson Mandela and Thabo Mbeki and international diplomats. She is also the author of Dare to Dream, a recipe book and memoir which won an African Authors Award in the Food Category.
Jacques Venter has built a career across different parts of Johannesburg’s culinary scene. According to his Chefs & Chenin profile, he began his career in 2003 as a commis chef at The Castle Kyalami before progressing to sous chef.
His experience has included fine dining at Roots restaurant at Forum Homini, work at Coco C in Bloemfontein and a stint at the Radisson Blu Sandton, where he worked his way up to executive sous chef. Since 2019, he has been part of the Pick n Pay group as a food specialist at Pick n Pay on Nicol and Thyme restaurant.
Chef Tebogo Morgan, the chef behind CRAVINGS, Gourmet Rainbow Cuisine, brings a fusion approach to the festival. Born in Mthatha and raised in Johannesburg, Morgan trained through the International Chef Management Diploma at Capsicum Culinary Studio in Cape Town.
His culinary style, which he describes as “Fire & Fusion”, brings together Asian and Mediterranean influences with open-fire cooking.
Saviour Moyo, who is also associated with Saint Restaurant Sandton, rounds out the group of chefs appearing as part of the Kaya 959 activation.
More than just food
Chefs & Chenin is being positioned as an experience rather than a conventional food festival.
General access tickets include a tasting meal at a pop-up restaurant of the guest’s choice, where chefs will showcase their food through live-fire cooking. There will also be curated Chenin Blanc tastings, alongside the Harvest Market, live music and entertainment for children.
The festival’s focus on open-fire cooking also taps into a familiar South African food tradition, while the Chenin Blanc element highlights one of the country’s most important wine varieties.
With Kaya 959 providing the radio platform and the chefs bringing the food to life on air, the build-up is giving audiences a preview of what awaits at Crawford International Sandton College.
Chefs & Chenin takes place on 26 and 27 September 2026. Tickets are available through Webtickets.
