Sexwale joins Fifa media committee
The South African Football Association (Safa) has lauded the appointment of human settlements minister Tokyo Sexwale to Fifa’s media committee saying the move both ‘epitomised and acknowledged the vital role the Minister has played in promoting the world’s favourite sport’.
The Fifa media committee, chaired by Mohamed Raouraoua of Algeria, oversees the ‘working conditions’ for journalists at Fifa accredited events and maintains and manages relations with international media organisations.
The Minister was, until recently, a member of the Fifa Fair Play Committee which, among other things, fought against racism and discrimination in football. It is in this role that the Minister played a critical role in the campaign to show racism the RED CARD. The Minister is also a former a member of the Fifa Development Committee.
“This is yet another vote of confidence for the role South Africans are playing in promoting the world’s No 1 sport. It is due recognition for the role the Minister has played in the past, during the 2010 Fifa World Cup and the effort he continues to put into the Beautiful Game. He has made South Africa proud and we are really happy for him,” said Safa president Kirsten Nematandani from Equatorial Guinea and Gabon where he is doing duty as a member of Cafa’s Afcon organising committee.
“Minister Sexwale left a lasting legacy as a champion of anti-racism in the sport when he spoke up for Fifa president Sepp Blatter who was criticised for saying ‘there was no racism in the field of play.’
South Africa expects minister Sexwale to play an equally important role in his new role working with the media,” added Nematandani.