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Hugh Page receives a Proteas jacket in 2016
- Hugh Page, a former national selector and critic of CSA, believes that a total collapse in the federation may be necessary before it can be reformed.
- The former all-rounder, who already organized a grassroots initiative last year to mourn the state of South Africa’s cricket, says independent governance is urgently needed, but the right people are needed for it.
- Page is not surprised that CSA’s initial collapse in December has been overtaken by current events, as “the wound went untreated.”
Hugh Page, former national coach and prominent critic of Cricket South Africa (CSA), believes that the embattled federation has reached a point where it might be necessary to encourage its total collapse.
“Well, I think CSA now should almost completely fall apart, pick up the pieces and start over,” he said. Sport24 on Wednesday.
“You have to wonder, especially now that the organization wants to review the Nicholson Commission’s (2012) recommendations, whether it needs to be fully privatized and independently managed by professionals.
“I don’t see how you can keep making these appointments and then end up in court because these people are not able to fulfill their responsibilities.”
The rise of independent governance is back in the spotlight after the CSA itself confirmed on Monday that one of the main reasons its annual general meeting, scheduled for Saturday, was postponed, is the need for “a reconfiguration of the organizational structure “.
The Nicholson report notably advocated for a majority of independent board members and will now be used in conjunction with the findings and recommendations of the independent forensic investigation conducted by Fundudzi.
CSA hasn’t done itself any favors in terms of improving its decision-making ability after apparently accepting a questionable list of nominees for board positions.
‘The voices of the players were inevitable’
Page is not surprised that the men and women of Proteas have found their voice on the unrest at CSA.
“The players had no other choice. No one seems to be able to stop this runaway train. The voices of our heroes on the field carry real weight.”
Simphiwe Ndzundzu, President of Border Cricket, is under investigation for alleged assault; Xolani Vonya has been nominated as a non-independent director despite being suspended as president of Easterns for alleged misconduct; and Vuyokazi Nemani-Sedile, chairman of CSA’s nominating committee, is available for one of three vacant independent director positions despite the apparent conflict of interest.
“The list of nominees has question marks behind their names. One is for fraud, the other for assault. How do you expect the average citizen on the street to accept something like that?” Said Page, who was one of the organizers on final year of the “Meeting of Cricket Lovers” event at the Wanderers, where everyday fans publicly expressed dissatisfaction with the way cricket is handled today.
“They and the organization simply would not have credibility in the future.”
That fits in with the broader issue of whether local sports federations can still take the predominantly amateur approach of naming “athletes” to decision-making positions.
However, as Page points out, appointing independent directors also has its difficulties.
“Look, independent governance is the way to go, but it depends on who you name,” he said.
“What good are independent directors when it comes to sponsorship? Clearly, there are peers and people who are only going to take care of themselves by being named. Sadly, some of those named have no history in the game and little understanding of the game.
“How can you make an informed decision about the game if you don’t understand it?”
The former Transvaal and Essex all-rounder, who appeared in seven unofficial tests for South Africa during isolation, is particularly saddened by the fact that the initial implosion of CSA last December, when Thabang Moroe was finally suspended as CEO, has been seen overtaken by current events.
“It was like an injury. If you weren’t going to treat it, this would be the result,” Page said.
“I’m not surprised that cricket is in the state it is in. People don’t care about work, they care about themselves. The watchdogs of the sport are doing it a disservice.”
