Many within Cape Town’s football fraternity were largely unaware that the South African Federation Soccer Legends is a fully-fledged structure operating under the auspices of SAFA Cape Town and, ultimately, SAFA National.
However, recent events have thrust the organisation into the spotlight.
The removal of former chairman Stevie Williams through a vote of no confidence sparked widespread discussion about the organisation’s affairs, and for many, even raised questions about the existence and purpose of the Federation Legends body itself.
But if newly-appointed interim chairperson newly appointed Solomons has his way, those questions will soon be answered.
Far from being a dormant organisation of former players, Solomons insists the Federation Legends remain committed to fulfilling the vision of the football pioneers who sacrificed so much during apartheid to keep the game alive in disadvantaged communities.
In a passionate address, Solomons reminded members that the organisation’s roots stretch back to an era when football was played on dusty fields, with makeshift goalposts and limited resources, yet produced generations of players whose talent and resilience helped sustain the game through some of South Africa’s darkest years.
“We are not legends because we had the best facilities or opportunities,” was the central theme of Solomons’ message. “We became legends because we survived circumstances that were designed to break us.”
He emphasised that the Federation Legends’ role extends beyond commemorating the past. Instead, the organisation aims to serve as a bridge between former players and the next generation, ensuring that the stories, struggles and achievements of football’s forgotten heroes are not lost to history.
Among its objectives are supporting former players, preserving the legacy of Federation football, and mentoring young footballers from communities across the Cape Flats and beyond.
Solomons also called for unity among members, urging them to move beyond personal differences and focus on the larger mission.
“Leadership is not a chair. Leadership is service,” he stressed, appealing to members to place the interests of the organisation above individual ambitions.
For Solomons, the future of the Federation Legends is not about power struggles or positions. It is about honouring those who came before, protecting the dignity of former players who competed against the backdrop of apartheid, and ensuring that today’s youth understand the sacrifices made by previous generations.
The message from the interim chair was clear: the Federation Legends are here to stay.
And if Solomons and his committee succeed in their mission, the organisation could yet become a powerful vehicle for preserving football history while inspiring the generations that follow.
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