SAFA KZN President defends sponsorship secrecy amid financial scrutiny

SAFA KZN President Mazwi Mkhize has defended Danny Jordaan’s decision not to disclose sponsorship figures, saying revealing them would only expose how little South African football is actually receiving.

The comments come a month after SAFA’s appearance before Parliament, where the governing body faced tough questions about its finances and overall administration. 

Jordaan also hinted he may run for a fourth term in 2026.

The most heated moment during the session came when Rise Mzansi MP Makashule Gana demanded SAFA reveal how much it receives from headline sponsors Hollywoodbets and 10Bet — both betting companies with a visible footprint in local football.

SAFA Chief Financial Officer Gronie Hluyo responded by saying the association could not reveal the details due to confidentiality clauses in the contracts it signed with the sponsors. 

He maintained that disclosing the amounts would violate legal agreements.

“In terms of our sponsorship contracts, we’ve got confidentiality clauses. We’ll be in breach of those contracts if we disclose sponsorship agreements and their value,” Hluyo told the committee.

Several MPs, however, were unimpressed by the explanation. They said SAFA’s lack of transparency made it difficult for them to recommend that the Ministry of Sports allocate further funding to the organisation.

The association’s latest financial report showed only R356 million in sponsorship revenue. Broadcast income from the SABC, which is itself under financial strain, remains minimal.

Now Mkhize has come out in support of Jordaan and Hluyo, arguing that hiding the figures is actually in football’s best interest. 

Speaking to Ukhozi FM, Mkhize said the numbers would shock the public and attract criticism that could damage the sport.

“I think it was the right decision not to reveal the amounts sponsored to the association because it’s embarrassing if we’re to hear the amount football gets sponsored,” said Mkhize.

“If people and the media knew the figures, there would be no questions of where the money is going — because it is so little.”

“We’ve asked these questions before, but we wanted to hide under tables when we heard the numbers,” he added.

Mkhize also said that SAFA KZN has chosen not to get involved in national political wrangles. 

He insisted that his region remains committed to supporting whichever leadership is in office.

“As the eThekwini region, we don’t want to involve ourselves in those squabbles at national level. We respect the leadership that’s in place, and that’s what we’ve done for the past three SAFA presidents as well.”

The sponsorship saga has raised deeper questions about transparency and financial sustainability in South African football. 

With limited revenue and mounting scrutiny, the call for full disclosure and reform is growing louder across the football fraternity.

But as long as regional figures like Mkhize back the current leadership, Danny Jordaan’s position remains relatively secure — even in the face of criticism from Parliament and the media.

For now, the association’s finances remain locked away. And until something gives, fans and stakeholders will be left wondering just how bad the situation really is.