CSA president, Chris Nenzani resigns with immediate effect

Cricket South Africa president (CSA), Chris Nenzani has resigned with immediate effect.

Nenzani, who was president of CSA’s member’s council and chairperson of the board of directors, stepped down on 15 August, a month before his contract concluded. In the preceding week, chief operations officer Naasei Appiah was dismissed with immediate effect for ‘transgressions of a serious nature’. “Mr Nenzani has led Cricket South Africa with dedication and astutely since 2013,” a statement from CSA released on 17 August, read. “Mr Nenzani has provided valuable leadership, insight, assistance and direction in advancing the game of cricket with a focus on achieving transformation and access for the majority of the South African population. “On behalf of Cricket South Africa’s Members’ Council and the board of directors we thank Mr Nenzani for his contributions to Cricket South Africa and for being a loyal servant to the game of cricket. We wish him well in his future endeavours and we are sure that he will continue to contribute to the game of cricket.

“Cricket South Africa notes that a new president and chairman will be appointed at the annual general meeting scheduled for the 5th of September 2020.

“Mr Nenzani has confirmed that he will avail himself to a press conference following the successful conclusion of the CSA AGM.”

This comes after questions were raised in the media about the legitimacy of Cricket South Africa’s appointment of director of cricket Graeme Smith and Proteas head coach Mark Boucher, which Nenzani defended.

South Africa’s cricket governing body was also the focus of poor public opinion when transformation was brought to the fore. A group of 40 black former Proteas players released a statement criticising the entity’s transformation policy – a policy they said was drawn up by the board without consultation with players and coaches, past or present, or any other role players.