JSE honours PSL’s top officials

The Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) honoured PSL chairman Dr Irvin Khoza, PSL executive committee member Kaizer Motaung and one of the country’s celebrated football icons, Jomo Sono, at an event at its headquarters in Sandton, on Wednesday, January 27.

The trio also opened formal trading on the JSE at 09:00.

JSE CEO Nicki Newtown-King said: “It’s such an honour for us to be able to honour these three legends, Dr Khoza, Mr Motaung and Mr Sono, for their contribution to football and the economy of this country.

”Soccer is part of our DNA in this country and these are the fathers of soccer. We must honour and recognise their central role in the manner in which they have been able to carefully guide soccer to be a commercially viable asset of this country. This is something we appreciate as the JSE.”

Dr Khoza thanked the Johannesburg Stock Exchange management and Board for recognizing the role played by domestic football in the country’s economy.

He said it was important for the PSL not to be complacent and to remain innovative.

“What we are grappling with now, is how we position ourselves; we need to identify the new growth points for football.”

Kaizer Motaung added: “A lot of people do not recognise the role of football in addressing the socio-economic needs of our communities.

”A lot of people made sacrifices for this product to be like this today – some of us were prepared to pay the ultimate price in order for the dream to be fulfilled.

”Football has achieved a lot against all odds. We all know the history of this country; we never had the same opportunities, but football managed to build a strong business.”

Jomo Sono said: “Growing up in Orlando (Soweto), I never knew that one day I’d be at the JSE being honoured for my contribution.

”I used to sell apples and peanuts to pay for my education, but football has always been part of who I am. Today, football in this country is business – many people can now feed their families from this game.”