SAFA Elects Three New Vice-Presidents

Linda Zwane, Natasha Tsichlas, and Tankiso Modipa will serve four-year terms to help guide South African football.

Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Soccer

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The South African Football Association (SAFA) has officially elected Linda Zwane, Natasha Tsichlas, and Tankiso Modipa as its new vice-presidents. The trio was appointed during a national executive committee meeting held in Sandton.

Why it matters

These leadership appointments are expected to be pivotal in the development and execution of SAFA's Vision 2030 strategy for the sport. The new team will manage the administrative direction of the association over their upcoming term.

The elected officials will serve a four-year term overseeing the national association. Tankiso Modipa joins the leadership team having replaced former vice-president Bennett Bailey.

The players

Linda Zwane

He serves as the president of the Mpumalanga Sport Confederation and joined the COSAFA executive committee in May 2026.

Natasha Tsichlas

She previously served as the managing director at Mamelodi Sundowns and has been involved in major tournament planning.

Tankiso Modipa

He chairs the National Working Committee of the Football Transformation Forum and assumes the vice-presidency seat formerly held by Bennett Bailey.

South African Football Association

This is the national governing body responsible for the administration and development of association football in South Africa.

The details

The election took place at a national executive committee meeting in Sandton, solidifying the new leadership lineup. Each official brings extensive experience to the role, ranging from regional sport presidency to high-level club management.

Linda Zwane began his administrative football career in 1996.
Natasha Tsichlas participated in FIFA World Cup preparations in 2010.
Linda Zwane joined the COSAFA executive committee in May 2026.
The new vice-presidents were elected in October 2026.

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Season Trajectory

The appointment of these officials aligns the administrative leadership with the long-term objectives set out in SAFA's Vision 2030. This transition marks a shift in internal governance intended to modernise the football development programme across the country.

The new leadership team is tasked with the immediate oversight of administrative policies that impact local football leagues and player development pipelines. Fans and stakeholders can expect potential changes to how grassroots support programmes are managed under the four-year term.

The takeaway

The election of the new vice-presidents signals a renewed focus on long-term administrative stability for the association. Stakeholders should monitor the coming months for updates on how these leaders will prioritise specific development initiatives.