Safa Cape Town’s reputation and credibility leaves a lot to be desired – and that is according to the Cape’s football public.
The recent mockery on social media following Safa CT’s charity donation of R100 000 to the Gift of the Givers speaks volumes and says it all about how the region is regarded by its members and the broader public – and this should honestly be a cause of concern.
Anyway, the region felt they were doing the right thing by donating the money to one of the most fantastic humanitarian organisations in the world – the Gift of the Givers. There’s an adage which says that charity begins at home – and many felt the money could have been better spent within the organisation, amongst the clubs and its dilapidated facilities and infrastructure.
Many also felt in light of the ongoing genocide in Gaza, instead of trying score brownie points with charity, would it not have sent out a stronger message of support to the people of Gaza if Safa CT were to cut the sponsorship of Coca Cola for the Coke Cup?
Charity, under normal circumstances, is never criticised or lambasted; however, with Safa CT it’s clearly the opposite as they received more backlash on social media than applause – and this is very sad. Some of the comments made on Facebook after a post by Local Football Uncensored of Safa CT’s president Bennett Bailey along with some of his REC members, flanking the delegates of the Gift of the Givers, read: “Clowns in charge of circus administration 
,” said a Ricky Kuzco Alderton.
Dane Otto added his two cents when he questioned Safa CT’s decision. “With all due respect to ‘Gift of the Givers’, how the hell does one make this make sense??
A Robin Hood was left confused: “What? How does this make sense? Please explain? Is this the Palestine money or what? And how much did they make from the Palestine game.”
Felicia Johnston had a suggestion for the Gift of the Givers on how they can spend the money they received from Safa CT. She writes: “I hope Gift of the Givers will donate this money back to the soccer players that need help with grounds, kit and at least a hotdog for the poor soccer kids that play!
What baffles many about the Safa CT’s decision is the timing. Bear in mind that there are many unresolved issues hanging over the region’s head, like a possible legal battle with the SSS Foundation following the two friendly matches against the Palestinian national team during the Football for Humanity Cup in Cape Town last year.
No Bones with Jones understands the SSS Foundation has again, via its legal team, reached out to Safa CT, requesting transparency on what happened to the profits of the Palestine initiative.
It was agreed upfront and put down in the minutes during a meeting at the Rondebosch Golf Course that the proceeds will be split in three, Safa CT, SSS Foundation and the other third will go to the Palestine cause.
This agreement never materialised, hence SSS was forced to seek legal intervention. For Safa CT’s sake, one hopes that they will attend to this matter as they are already sitting with egg on their face after their treasurer Wayne Weitz was cleared from any wrongdoing as initially suggested.
Instead of putting the matter to bed and apologizing, they are now dragging their heels and further prolonging the matter. There’s such a lot of nagging and dubious issues within the region that it clouds the decision making and judgement and time has come for change.
