Boxing SA appoints new acting CEO

Boxing South Africa has confirmed the appointment of Cindy Nkomo as the organisation’s acting CEO following the shocking resignation of former CEO Tsholofelo Lejaka.

Her appointment was confirmed on August 6.

Boxing SA chairperson Peter Ngatane explained: “To ensure continuity and sustenance of institutional memory, the board met on August 5 and resolved to appoint Nkomo as acting CEO with effect from August 6.

“She will work with the existing team of staff within BSA until a new CEO has been appointed by the Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture. Nkomo and team will drive the execution of the proximate tasks outlined in the foregoing.”

Lejaka, whose five-year term was scheduled to end next year, was announced as the organisation?s CEO by then sports minister Fikile Mbalula in 2016.

Explaining his decision to leave, he said: “The pain of leaving a sector you’ve been an integral part of for years will naturally hurt. However, knowing that you are leaving without any acrimony or bad blood is also comforting because whenever you reunite with old friends and colleagues – it will always be a huge celebration because with lots of the fond memories to reminisce about.

“The reunion time will surely come but unfortunately for now, it’s time for parting.”

Meanwhile, the woman tasked to temporarily fill Lejaka’s shoes, Nkomo, said: “I am obviously honored to have been given the opportunity to take this position and I don’t take this appointment lightly. I will rely on the board of BSA and my office for support and guidance. But I want to thank Lejaka for the support he has given me since I joined BSA in 2017.

“With his operational experience, he gave me a leeway to drive the operations; his guidance has been a driving force to me and his patience when things did not move as fast I would have wanted them to not go unnoticed.”

Sports minister Nathi Mthethwa recently brought much-needed relief to the boxing fraternity by announcing that boxing tournaments may resume.