In an unexpected turn of events that could deepen divisions within South African netball, Cecilia Molokwane, the suspended President of Netball South Africa (NSA), has boldly expressed her intention to return to her position at the helm of the federation.
This announcement, made during a media briefing in Polokwane on Thursday, has sparked a fierce rebuttal from NSA, reiterating that her suspension remains in effect.
The defiant Molokwane has resigned as a director at World Netball, and she may have felt it paved the way for her potential re-entry into the national governing body. However, the NSA wasted no time in clarifying its stance, firmly stating that Molokwane is still under suspension.
Acting President Mami Diale addressed the situation in a statement, asserting, “To our knowledge, Molokwane remains suspended. We are unaware of her return to the federation.”
Diale emphasised that the NSA has not engaged with Molokwane following her claims and has received no formal communication altering her suspended status.
Amid the backdrop of these developments, Diale made it clear that the implications of Molokwane’s actions are significant.
“Netball South Africa and its supporters—including players, coaches, administrators, and umpires—would be severely affected should World Netball suspend the federation,” she elaborated. “It is for this reason that we have strictly complied with World Netball’s directives over the past six months. To us, netball comes first—and netball must always win.”
In a further commitment to maintaining the integrity of the sport, Diale confirmed that NSA continues to hold its status as a member in good standing with World Netball, operating strictly in alignment with its statutes.
“Molokwane remains suspended and will not resume her duties as president,” she reiterated, ensuring that the federation prioritises stability and adherence to governance standards.
As the saga unfolds, the tension between Molokwane and NSA highlights the broader challenges faced within sporting federations, where leadership conflicts can jeopardise the future of the sport. Stakeholders in South African netball will be watching closely as this confrontation develops, aware that the stakes are high for the players and the integrity of the league itself.
