PICTURE: INSTAGRAM/ CECILIA MOLOKWANE
World Netball has taken a significant step by suspending Cecilia Molokwane, the president of Netball South Africa (NSA) and Africa Netball, at a time when allegations of questionable practices in her leadership are being made.
The governing body has yet to disclose the specifics of the charges, leaving many within the netball community puzzled about the circumstances surrounding her suspension.
At the age of 50, Cecilia has been a prominent figure in South African netball since she first took on the NSA presidency in 2017.
Over her two terms, she has been credited with propelling the Spar Proteas to impressive placements in recent Netball World Cups, including a commendable hosting of the tournament in Cape Town in 2023, which she regards as one of her career highlights.
In an interview with SABC Sport just prior to her suspension, Cecilia made headlines by declaring her intention to run for a third term as NSA president in the upcoming elections set for 2025.
This decision, however, has raised eyebrows, especially in light of allegations that she has been systematically removing individuals from the NSA who may oppose her bid for re-election.
Despite the serious nature of the suspension, Netball South Africa remains adamant that they have not been made aware of the specific allegations against their leader, raising questions about the communication processes between the governing body and its president.NSA said it will refrain from engaging in discussions about ongoing internal matters, in line with World Netball. The organisation kindly asked for patience and understanding as they work through the process.
As the netball landscape in South Africa faces this unprecedented upheaval, the full implications of Cecilia’s suspension will undoubtedly reverberate throughout the sport.
