NewsHawks 4 March 2022

NewsHawks People & Places Page 51

Issue 70, 4 March 2022 Garden Route..

Cape Town.

Drakensburg Mountains. Durban.

Konka Club, Soweto, Johannesburg.

FROM breath-taking beauty, to sun- SA invites the world to South Africans’ renowned optimism
soaked coasts; wildlife to active adven- come to “Live Again” and resilience that have stood this na-
ture; cosmopolitan and vibrant urban tion in good stead at every turn when
dynamism to the incredible warmth can tourism authorities and promoters moments of mere rest and relaxation. by an unshakable conviction that we we faced seemingly intractable chal-
and cultural diversity of the people – on Tuesday in Johannesburg during the With globally-benchmarked health can and must climb back to the peaks lenges. Through it all, we never lose our
South Africa is a traveller’s dream. launch of the “Live Again” campaign to we have previously summited with zeal for life and we’re inviting the world
attract visitors back to the country. and safety protocols in place, South tourism in our country, we boldly an- to approach the Covid-19 situation in
Its tourism Mecca being Cape Town, Africa says it is poised to not only give nounce to the world that South Africa the same way. We are inviting everyone
the second biggest city in the country South African Tourism (Satour) says travellers a new life-enriching experi- is open and ready to welcome all vis- to come experience the unique sounds
by population which marks the com- two years after restricted travel move- ence with its wide variety of tourism itors”. and textures of South African cultures
ing together of two oceans – The In- ments, people now deserve to be free experiences and products, but also the and experience. We’re saying it’s time to
dian and Atlantic – as well as history, again — to visit a country “filled with comfort of knowing that they will be “The goal is simple, albeit daunting ‘Live Again’, but to continue to observe
cultures, cuisines and landscapes; an rich, authentic, unfiltered experiences safe enjoying their time in the country. under the circumstances - restore the Covid-19 safety protocols.”
exceptionally awesome city crowned by and to Live Again!”. sector to its pre-Covid-19 pinnacle and
the majestic Table Mountain. Despite high crime levels and xe- take it even higher. The aim is to use Khumalo added: “The ‘Live Again’
This message loomed large as Satour nophobic flashpoints, South Africa is this to catapult South Africa’s tourism campaign entails the country’s brand
A trip starting at the cosmopolitan unveiled its first global audio-visual a safe tourism destination; a showcase sector to the forefront of the country’s promise to deliver the ultimate leisure
Johannesburg — they say Africa’s world marketing campaign in five years. of captivatingly beautiful landscapes, economic recovery effort and position and business events travel experiences
class city - down to Cape Town in the friendly people and dynamic culture, South Africa as safe and secure destina- that will re-energise body, mind and
southwest, and then along the Gar- Around the world extended periods exquisite cuisine and vibrant night- tion,” she said. spirit.  Through the South African song
den Route through Mossel Bay, Knys- of living with Covid-19 left people ma- life at vibrant restaurants, lounges and created especially for the film – weav-
na, and Plettenberg Bay all the way rooned at home and yearning for a trav- clubs. Speaking at the launch of the cam- ing in sounds and textures of this rich
through Storms River to the Drakens- el experience that could break them out paign, Satour acting chief executive tapestry of people and experiences, we
burg Mountains, further up to Durban, of the cycle of stress and detachment South African Tourism minister Mzilikazi Themba Khumalo said: “This continue to extend our signature hospi-
Isimangaliso Wetland Park in the far- they have been imprisoned to. Lindiwe Sisulu said: “Resilience, indus- campaign sums up South Africa’s re- tality with grace and gratitude.”
flung northern KwaZulu-Natal and to triousness and adaptability are part of solve to not postpone living life to the
Kruger National Park would leave any Satour says people increasingly want the indefatigable South African spirit. fullest one moment longer. It taps into South Africa welcomed  2 255
visitor bowled over by sheer splendour. to live their lives again to the fullest and Fuelled by these qualities, and driven 699 (about 2.3 million) arrivals in 2021
have experiences beyond the tedious and says this year is likely to perform far
The trip offers spectacular scenery, better all things being equal.
wildlife, and adrenaline-fueled adven-
ture. In Mzansi parlance, one would say
“Ola come let’s live again”!
You can never go wrong.
This was the message by South Afri- — STAFF WRITER

Page 52 Sport NewsHawks

Issue 70, 4 March 2022

Kenya, Zimbabwe have been suspended
from world football: What happens next?

WYCLIFFE W NJORORAI SIMIYU been announced. The national wom- qualify for the men’s 2023 Africa Cup in  to Fifa demands to reinstate offi- The two countries will soon wake up
en’s team to the Africa Women’s Cup of Nations is thrown into doubt. cials. The typical way back is to agree to the reality of not participating in
KENYA and Zimbabwe have both of Nations qualifiers pulled out at the to the formation of a  “normalisation any international soccer matches. They
been  suspended  by the world’s football last minute from playing Uganda. The • Loss of funding from Fifa. The committee”  by the international fed- are out of the running for the popular
governing body,  Fifa, owing to govern- ousted Kenyan federation office wrote two countries will not benefit from eration in return for a lifting of the Fifa World Cup as well qualifying for
ment interference in the operations of to the African federation saying it was any development programmes, cours- suspension. other national and club competitions.
the national football federations. Nairo- unable to prepare for the tie because es or training from Fifa and Caf. Ref- There’s also the loss of substantial Fifa
bi and Harare dissolved their federations it had been stripped of its powers by erees from the two countries will not The suspension of members by revenues flowing to member associa-
late last year and replaced them with the government and locked out of its be assigned to regional and interna- Fifa over what it calls third-party in- tions.
government-appointed officials. The sus- offices. tional matches. terference (mainly governments) goes
pension, overshadowed for now by Rus- back to 1990. Small, economically Faced with this prospect, Kenya and
sia’s dramatic banishment from virtually The Confederation of African Foot- • Disruption of local leagues will weak countries were the main target at Zimbabwe will have to seek a compro-
all international sport, will hit the two ball’s cancellation of the match was follow without the incentive to qualify first. The list included  Greece,  Cam- mise with Fifa. The first step is to set
countries in the pocket and freeze inter- a tacit  endorsement  of the dissolved for African competitions. Their global eroon, Sudan, Indonesia and Albania. up a “normalisation committee” to
national participation. Sports researcher Kenyan administration. It was a clear ranking will fall, eroding the national prepare for another round of elections.
Wycliffe Njororai Simiyu explains why signal that the government-appointed brand and prospects for players seek- By 2000, during Sepp Blatter’s term
this is straight from Fifa’s aggressive pol- caretaker office was deemed illegiti- ing professional contracts abroad. as Fifa president, the number of cas- Second is to settle allegations of
icy against what it terms “third-party mate. How have past suspensions of Afri- es in which Fifa had intervened on misappropriation of funds and other
interference”. can federations played out? behalf of member associations facing misdemeanours pending against the
What’s the background? Now that Fifa has formally an- Between 2000 and 2010,  nearly a some element of loss of control to gov- suspended officials.
The suspension of Kenya and Zimba- nounced the suspension, further con- dozen  African associations, including ernment agencies had  increased  from
bwe was announced by Fifa’s president, sequences will follow. Nigeria, Kenya, Chad, Madagascar four to 13. On the list were Namibia, Short of a compromise with Fifa,
Gianni Infantino. In Kenya’s case, Fi- and Ethiopia, were suspended. Kenya’s Poland, Zambia, Hungary, Cameroon Kenya and Zimbabwe could plunge
fa’s action comes after sports minister • Kenyan and Zimbabwean foot- previous suspension was in 2004. Bo- (again), Benin, Guinea, Tanzania, and into football limbo for the foreseeable
Amina Mohamed dissolved the Foot- ball teams, including club sides vying tswana and Togo were on the verge of Brazil. future.
ball Kenya Federation office in No- for Confederation of African Football facing similar punishment.
vember 2021. A caretaker committee tournaments, will not play interna- In every case but one – Guinea’s *About the writer: Wycliffe W.
headed by retired judge Aaron Ring- tionally. Teams and the national foot- Given the massive inflow of funds suspension lasted two years – the tar- Njororai Simiyu is professor of
era was appointed to take charge of ball associations will remain suspended from Fifa and the popularity of foot- geted governments quickly complied health and kinesiology at the Uni-
football activities in the country. The until Fifa reinstates the memberships ball, African governments tend to give with Fifa’s demands. versity of Texas at Tyler in the United
federation’s president, Nick Mwend- of the two countries. Their ability to What are the options? States.
wa, was subsequently  arrested  and
charged with misappropriation of
funds from Fifa and the government.
He has pleaded not guilty.

The Zimbabwe football federation
was similarly dissolved by govern-
ment in November last year. The de-
cision was announced by the country’s
Sports and Recreation Commission,
a government-appointed body. Fed-
eration officials were accused of mis-
appropriating money given to the as-
sociation by the state for Zimbabwe’s
participation at the 2019 Africa Cup
of Nations finals. Four federation of-
ficials, including the president, are be-
ing investigated for mismanagement
and lack of accountability in the use
of public funds, as well as allegations
of  sexual harassment  of female refer-
ees.

The two countries are now locked
out of all national Fifa supported
personnel development activities for
administrators, coaches and referees.
They are also barred from internation-
al competitions.

These include all international club
and national team competitions under
the auspices of the Confederation of
African Football (Caf). Local leagues
can continue but eventual winners
would not be entered for Caf competi-
tions until the suspension is lifted.

According to Fifa, any allegations of
administrative malpractices should be
investigated internally. Investigations
should fall under the local federation
by-laws and Fifa stipulations rather
than being carried out by government.
These internal mechanisms are meant
to shield Fifa from any external inter-
ference in its operations as a private
entity.
What are the immediate implica-
tions for the two countries?
Zimbabwe was first to face the con-
sequences of the government’s move.
Not only did they play the 2021 Af-
rica Cup of Nations under the threat
of expulsion, they also missed out on
US$500 000 prize money awarded to
each of the participating teams.

Kenya also suffered the conse-
quences before the Fifa decision had

NewsHawks Sport Page 53

Issue 70, 4 March 2022

The boisterous luck of the Irish  ‘Events will
determine
JOHN KELLEY

IN the lead up to 15 March, literally our return
thousands of Irishmen with horses, to Fifa’
jockeys and punters with pockets full
of cash and good thirsts, will travel
across the Irish Sea to Cheltenham in
England.
There in the nearby countryside they From page 54
Zimbabwe will play eight
will have four days of racing to watch, games in the Currie Cup’s ‘B’
cheer noisily and wager on. For this
is the annual National Hunt Cham- section, opening their cam-
pionship meeting and they are more paign on 2 April against one
than ready to back their Grade One of the three national teams in
steeplechasers and hurdlers in a joy of
Irishness, winning with or losing their the competition, European side
months-long savings. Georgia, four-time World Cup
participants. Kenya are also in
Not only that. This is the anniver- this year’s tournament and they
sary of their patron saint, St Patrick, will clash with Dawson’s men to-
who might well be the most revered wards the end of the season. 
and celebrated saint on earth. In the
5th century he fled slavery in England The last time Zimbabwe were
involved in South Africa’s do-
as a 16-year-old to become a monk in mestic rugby system, in 2019,
Ireland, return to England and then go
back to banish all the island's snakes they didn’t win a single match
into the sea and bring 33 dead people in the SuperSport Challenge,
back to life. As miracles go, these take
some beating. which is a level below the Currie
Cup.   
Cheltenham races, begorrah, have
been staged with great ceremony near Team manager Maritz wants
this Westcountry town since 1839, al- to see a change this time around.
most 200 years ago. It is one of the three
great historical English racing events: “The reality is that we want to
the Epsom Derby near London with its get a few wins,” Maritz said. “In
the SuperSport Challenge, we
had a very inexperienced team.
famous Tattenham Corner, where the The average age was 21. Those
finest three-year-old stallions settle the
challenge to find the country's fastest guys have stayed with us for the
and best stayer. And the Grand Nation- last three to four years. They are
al, a race of more than four miles with now 24, 25. They are established
high gruelling fences, for fields of 40 now. So we will definitely target
powerful horses at Aintree, Liverpool, a couple of games. Obviously,
being the others. Kenya and Zimbabwe is a great
rivalry. I think we would love to
In the last 10 years, 340 Irish horses get one more over them again.
have been first past the post and they They are in the (World Cup)
have many times done so for the Gold qualifiers so there is that psycho-
Cup on the actual St Patrick's Day, 17 logical edge of getting one over
March. This year's Gold Cup will be
worth US$600 000 to the winning
owner. Not to mention the subsequent another African country. Then
huge stud fees. In recent years, female it is always good to play against
jockeys from both sides of the Irish Sea Racing during the National Hunt Championship. SWD Eagles. It’s a challeng-
have started making names for them- ing game when you go down to
selves in what used to be a male-domi- Association will also celebrate in a big forms, including sports, literature, throughout the world, and Zimbabwe George, it gets interesting when
nated sport. way. This lively association of Irishmen theatre, dance and music. To act as a is no exception, the Irish and non-Irish the wind is blowing. Last time
in Harare is the oldest "expat" organisa- forum and contact point for all things celebrate our National Day. Details of when we played them (in the Su-
On that day thousands of Irish men tion in Zimbabwe, established in 1891 Irish and of Irish interest. forthcoming events are posted regularly perSport Challenge), there was a
and women march through the streets and one of the oldest in the world. on Facebook and our website. strong wind, about 50 to 60ks
of New York in celebration. The city "Throughout the year the Masho- per hour. We are also excited
has a very large population of descen- On its website, the Mashonaland naland Irish Association have various "The Association acknowledges the
dants of people migrating from the
Irish potato famines of some 150 years Irish Association describes its purpose social and sporting events to promote support of the Irish Government Em- about the Georgia game.”
ago who fled their country in search of as: Irish culture in all its formats. Our igrant Support Programme in sponsor- The Currie Cup-bound squad
a better life.  The Mashonaland Irish “To promote Irish culture in all its flagship event is St Patrick’s Day when ing many of the association's activities.” will be announced on Monday.

IF you are like me, you will probably be Harare and Nairobi to Moscow behave like they exist in the real word in
punch-drunk, by now, from the legal jar- and Kiev: what a week for Fifa! which transgressions ought to be treated
gon flying between the Sports and Rec- with the contempt they deserve.
reation Commission and the Zimbabwe There is a high likelihood, in response to Fifa’s condition to lift Zimbabwe’s it is pretty hard to see a quick return for
Football Association, the two antagonists that question, that the entire footballing suspension is the unconditional re-in- Zimbabwe if the SRC continue to stick Zimbabwe and Kenya – both banned
in the country's topical football conflict. world will simply wake up the next statement it up to Zurich.  by Fifa last week – might not be the
morning and move on with their lives, of the Zifa Fifa have total- greatest footballing nations on the plan-
International football governing body poor little Zimbabwe wallowing in isola- board, head- ly ignored SRC et. But they have presented Fifa with a
Fifa – world sports’ most powerful or- tion, for all the world cares.  ed by Felton proposals for the rare integrity test, which thankfully has
ganisation and the richest – has not Kamambo. So HawkZone formation of a coincided with other developments in
helped matters either.   The SRC is adamant that not giv- help me out normalising com- another part of the world, around the
ing in to Fifa’s demands is a principled here: does this mittee for Zifa. same time.
Deep pockets and all, the suits in Zu- stance, a position they will only move mean then that Enock Given prec-
rich obviously do not mind spending a from when they are convinced that foot- at the time we edents in other Fifa this week banned Russian nation-
lot of loot to hire the best legal minds ball in Zimbabwe is ripe for a return to “get our house Muchinjo countries, where al teams and clubs from international
on the planet to convince everyone that the “Fifa family”, after the house is in in order”, in governments or football over the country’s invasion of
they are right, even when clearly Fifa’s in- order.  two, three, four their associates Ukraine. 
tegrity is increasingly getting questioned years’ time, or have dared act
by each passing era, and by each admin- It is a plausible line of argument, to whatever, we still have to present Ka- against the the football associations, per- In 2016, Croatia and Kosovo, both
istration. many followers of Zimbabwean football, mambo & Co to Fifa as the rightful lead- haps you cannot blame Fifa for being formerly part of Yugoslavia, were heavily
given the chaotic way football has been ers of Zifa in order to negotiate our way Fifa. fined by Fifa for anti-Serbian chants. 
So, let us try simplifying things a little governed in this country for far too long. back into international football? But that does not mean things should
bit in the wake of Fifa’s recent suspension This will be going around in circles, not change, and that Fifa should not be This is because Fifa have a policy
of Zimbabwe from international football But another question: when will that and it is not making any sense to me at held accountable for clear double-stan- against political and religious stances in
on the basis of government interference be as a nation when we finally decide all right now. Under these circumstances, dards in cases they have been asked to any form in activities under their um-
in the affairs of the national football fed- that we want to return to the Fifa family? brella.
eration, Zifa.  For me, quite a few argu- And will the decision to walk in straight
ments stand out in the SRC’s defiance of back be in our hands at that time? Yet, as if they exist in isolation, Fifa
Fifa over the sacking of the Zifa board, look the other way when authorised
which has eventually courted the ban. bodies in member nations play their
watchdog roles.
One, a question: what do we really
take ourselves for as a nation that we Zimbabwe and Kenya – with Rus-
should force the hand of Fifa to ban us? sia and Ukraine’s clash backing it up –
might well show the world how the mo-
dus operandi need to change in Zurich. 

Sports A crippling
poverty of
leadership
at Zifa

‘Humiliated, intimidated,
degraded’ ref reports
Thursday 1 October 2020 sexual advances

Friday 4 March 2022 @NewsHawksLive TheNewsHawks www.thenewshawks.com

WHAT’S INSIDE NEWS CULTURE
‘Events will determine$60Covid
tariff for
visitors &
Community
radio
regulations

tourists under review

our retCurhnatmo iFsiafar’ eacENOCKMUCHINJO
Story on Page 3 Story on Page 8
stage when we rose up Fifa rankings
both at club and national team lev-
ONE of Zimbabwe’s most recognised Khupeel. We rose like a phoenix to become
football personalities and one-time out to number 40 in the world and number
aspiring Zifa president, Francis Zi- eight in Africa.”
munya, reckons the country can Put to him by The NewsHawks lat-
emerge stronger from its suspension er in the week that things have since
by world football governing body changed — this country was isolated
Fifa on charges of government inter- by Fifa because of a racist political
ference. Unofficial president calls for emergeestablishment hence readmission was
Zimunya — best known as a for- easy once democracy came – Zimun-
ya said this fact was inconsequential. 
mer Zifa board member, ex-CAPS
United coach as well as a founding Fifa says they will only lift Zim-
club owner — remarked that the babwe’s latest suspension if the fired
country’s first expulsion by Fifa, in Zifa board is reinstated, something
the pre-Independence era, was fol- that does not faze Zimunya. 
lowed by a period of success after “Events and circumstances will de-
1980. termine our return to Fifa,” Zimunya
“We were banned for years during told this publication. “There are so
the apartheid regime and during that many scenarios that can determine
time we built very strong football and our return. The key factor and, most
viable structures and we established a importantly, our return will only be
good relationship with all the stake- determined by our state of prepared-
holders that included the corporate ness to go back and conquer the world
world and the fourth estate,” posted as we did before. It is us, when we
Zimunya on a football discussion fo- would have completed the work that
rum he created. we have set ourselves to do, who will
“The foundation was destroyed 30 determine when to make a request to
years later. This foundation was de- return to Fifa. Right now, there are a
stroyed during the past 15 years by Zimbabwe pose for a team photo before an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier last year. number of countries that we can play

very arrogant and ignorant people repeating itself in rebuilding the foot- dence in 1980, we were much stron- became Cecafa champions by beating international matches with, for exam-
who had no idea of what football was ball base that should form the future ger than we were before the ban. The all the teams that were in Fifa in that ple those who are not part of Fifa. The
all about and the purpose why Zifa success story of this nation. When we evidence is there for all to see. The ev- tournament. We soon established return to Fifa will only be determined
was established. It seems history is were readmitted into Fifa at Indepen- idence is there for all to see. We soon ourselves in Africa and on the world by us and not by Fifa.”

Dawson ‘150% confident’ of World Cup

FORMER Zimbabwe international in 2023 in France. going to do it, and I do really be- South Africa’s Currie Cup First Di- tion pool for the Sables.
Robbie Du Rand has backed cur- And now Du Rand, appointed lieve him,” Du Rand told show host vision, beginning early next month, “We want to build up their confi-
rent head coach Brendan Dawson marketing manager of Zimbabwe’s Kaya Malotana, a single-Test former before flying out directly to France dence, build up their skills,” Dawson
to deliver on his vows to guide the national team in January, also be- Springbok-turned-broadcaster. for Africa’s World Cup qualifiers in commented. “For example, if one of
country back to rugby’s World Cup lieves the country is ripe for a return “I think we have a lot of good Aixe-en-Provence and Marseille in our tightheads based in France isn’t
for the first time since 1991. to the big stage after three decades of ALpSlaOyerIsNaSll IoDveEr the Fgilnobaen. cWeeMhainveistyJuwlyi.pes out $3.2 Billion depositoavrasilfaubnled, osne of tZheimyo'sunlagstteersstclaannd c
failed attempts.   players that are playing in Zimbabwe The squad for the qualifiers will step up. It’s also about the future,
Dawson – who played for Zim- The ex-Sables giant lock featured that are committed. It’s now just be named soon after the Currie Cup, putting those youngsters through
babwe in that last World Cup 31 on SuperSport’s Phaka rugby show about getting the right commitment and while conceding that the bulk of the hard work of South African rug-
years ago and later captained the this week alongside Dawson and from corporates, making sure that the side he will take to South Afri- by, which is a hell of a task to go
side – has consistently declared that Zimbabwe’s national team manager we give the team the best that they ca might not make the grade for the through. It’s about building, to make
he will put together a squad strong Jason Maritz. can get, making sure that we give the tough France trip, Dawson said the sure that if certain players that are
enough to conquer Africa this year “Chatting to the coach, he’s coach the best that we can give him.” experience gained down south will abroad aren’t available, he can step
and secure the continent’s sole quali- 150%* confident that these boys are Zimbabwe are preparing to play in toughen players and widen the selec- in.” ...to page 53
fication ticket to the Webb Ellis Cup

ALSO INSIDE The smaller nations creating their own stories