WPRFU: Time for 'new beginnings'?

UPDATE: Elections, especially in the game in South Africa, are notoriously unpredictable.

The game’s politics, especially in the Western Cape, always have reptilian and vile undertones.

With less than a week to go to the first Western Province Rugby Football Union elections in more than six years, the canvassing for support at the polls in Cape Town on April 30 is reaching fever pitch.

Peter Jooste, the third administrator since SARU took control of the then ‘bankrupt’ union in October 2021, released the nominations last week.

Heavy hitters Kevin Kiewits and Ronald Banton are seen as the ‘jewels’ in the Cape Town crown.

Then, of course, there is the alienated – and in some cases execrated – Zelt Marais.

With no indication from SARU if his appeal against a 10-year ban has been successful (or failed), Marais remains in the race.

Finally, there are the ‘dark horses – Ruben Machelm (candidate for President) and Eugene Andries (as Deputy President). They come as a package.

The four presidential candidates are all ‘contaminated’, having served under Marais at various stages during his inglorious reign from 2018 to 2021.

However, Machelm and Andries portray themselves as the ‘new beginning’ for the union.

Keep in mind, the properties are no longer an asset (or assets).

That was taken care of during the various loans that ended with all properties bonded to Dream World, which have now started the legal process to sell them at auction.

It means they are just competing for control of the amateur arm – the clubs.

The real money, the professional arm (Stormers Rugby (Pty) Ltd), is under the control of the equity consortium Red Disa.

(Continue below …)

“This is our commitment to support skilled and experienced community administrators who have never been elected to serve the union at the executive committee level,” Machelm and Andries said in a joint statement under the banner of ‘new beginnings’.

“This election presents a perfect opportunity for members to usher in a period of constructive and respectful dialogue in the best interest of the union and to leave the ‘baggage’ of the recent past behind us.

“The past six and a half years have seen disruptions in the form of a pandemic and an unfortunate period of administration, and the time has come for members to seek a new future for the union where the growth of the game in the communities under our jurisdiction remains our most important priority.

“In the words of [Springbok coach] Rassie Erasmus, it’s time to let the community game be our ‘main thing’.

“Many promises will be made over the next few days running up to the elections, support will be offered to everyone, but in the end, the question that requires an answer is: ‘How will things become different?’.

“The ‘winner takes all approach’ and ‘slate politics’ will not fly again in the upcoming election, compromises will have to be sought, and ultimately, the member clubs will decide on the executive committee makeup.

“It is our wish that the outcome of the elections be respected, unity amongst members be forged and that the council collectively honour the legacy of those who came before us.”

They promise to ‘serve’, not ‘lead ‘, as well as ‘listen, and act’.

@king365ed
@rugby365com

Related articles

Zelt running for four positions
Outcome of Zelt’s appeal pending
The real ‘cost’ of WPRFU administration
Dream World move – what next for WPRFU?
Newlands up for auction
Zelt slapped with lengthy ban and a fine
WPRFU: The rise and fall of a ‘war room’