Mr Hulisani Mabasa was elected as the new president of Safa Vhembe during the annual general meeting (AGM) recently held at Thohoyandou.

Mabasa was elected into the position which was left by Mr Kirsten Nematandani, who is now the president of Safa.

When Nematandani was elected as the Safa president last year, Mr Thivhonali Khorommbi Nemavhola moved into the Safa president´s office. His term in office expired last month.

Mr Marcus Mukumela was elected as the first vice-president, Mr George Kubayi as the second vice-president and Mr Albert Malisha was elected as the third vice-president.

Mabasa was the chairperson of the Competition Committee of Safa Vhembe and was also the deputy-chairperson of the Venda Referees´ Association. He also worked as the chairperson of Northern Transvaal School Soccer, the chairperson of Noptosa football, first deputy-chairperson of Ussasa, chairperson of Limpopo Schools football and he also worked in the national office of schools´ soccer.

Mabasa mentioned the names of people like Mr Ronald Makhadi, Kirsten Nematandani, Elvis Booi and Mr Mulimisi Muneri as some of the people who played a major role in his growth in local football administration.

Mr Jeffrey Maluleke, PRO of the Makhado local football association, stated that Mabasa should associate himself with the right people if he wanted to succeed as leader. He indicated that Mabasa had played a major role in the negotiations that led to the restructuring of local football and encouraged Mabasa to work hard to ensure that this region kept up the good work in producing more players for the elite leagues. He appealed to Mabasa to remain focused, despite all the criticism.

When responding, Mabasa indicated that he was prepared to face all the challenges that go with his new job.