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The MoU heralded a new era in African football, prioritising education and skills development among the administrators entrusted with running member associations or federations.

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Sizwe sama Yende

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The University of Cape Town (UCT) is playing ball after signing a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with CAF to train football administrators.

UCT interim vice-chancellor Professor Daya Reddy and CAF’s secretary-general, Véron Mosengo-Omba, signed the MoU in Cairo, Egypt, on May 8.

“The agreement is anchored in the promise made by CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe three years ago to improve the efficiency and professionalism in African football. We believe this collaboration will not only train the future leaders of football but also consolidate the skills and capacity of role players, thereby fostering the landscape of African football,” Mosengo-Omba said.

Elijah Moholola, the university’s spokesperson, said that the agreement between the two organisations would see UCT providing bespoke courses and programmes as an Africa Centre of Education Excellence.

The courses and programmes will be aimed at driving knowledge, creating capacity, and strengthening administrative skills among Africa’s football stakeholders.

Moholola said that the MoU heralded a new era in African football, prioritising education and skills development among the administrators entrusted with running member associations or federations.

 UCT council chairperson, Advocate Norman Arendse, said: “UCT is absolutely delighted to partner CAF on this critically important project: to train and develop the leaders and future leaders of African football. UCT shares the vision of CAF, which is to develop and sustain a truly world class organisation based entirely on excellence.”

Reddy said that the partnership was further testimony to UCT’s commitment to engage in collaboration aimed at strengthening capacity and unleashing leadership potential in Africa.

Mosengo-Omba said CAF was proud to be associated with UCT, a reputable institution which was one of the leading centres of learning globally. Mosengo-Omba said that the agreement spoke to the work that had been done in turning CAF around and positioning it as among the best learning organisations in Africa. 

The programme will include a mix of online as well as on-site modules that will be held at the UCT Graduate School of Business.

 The key objectives of the programme will include, among others:

·         Enhancing the skills and expertise of African football stakeholders;

·         Building the capacity of role-players within CAF’s 54-member associations;

·         Driving innovation and encouraging football executives to expand their strategic acumen and strengthen their leadership capabilities; and

·         Contributing to the advancement and sustainability of African football.