More than half of SA’s sports bodies have zero full-time staff

By Dylan Bettencourt

• Deputy director-general Vincent Campbell told parliament on Tuesday that only 15% of South Africa’s national sports federations have CEOs.

• Campbell said 39% of South Africa’s 75 national sports federations have no office space at all, which hurts their ability to attract sponsors.

More than half of South Africa’s 75 national sports federations have no permanent employees at all.

That’s what deputy director-general for recreation development and sport promotion, Vincent Campbell, told parliament on Tuesday.

Only 15% of sports bodies had one to three employees. Another 20% had four to 10, while 9% had 11 to 30. Just 5% had more than that.

“It paints a picture as to why some of the federations are not able to manage their affairs efficiently and effectively, because these people are probably employed full-time elsewhere and do this as a passion and a love for the sport,” Campbell said.

The staffing problems run deep. Only 15% of federations have CEOs, 14% have CFOs and just 12% have chief operating officers. Seven percent have human resources officers.

“Now we understand why some of these particular federations are unable to supply us with proper financial statements and audited financial statements,” Campbell said.

The office situation is just as bad. Only 8% of federations own permanent office space. More than half, 53%, are renting. The remaining 39% have no office at all.

“If you look at the issue around staffing, you are unable to attract sponsors if you don’t have a good governance and management structure in place,” Campbell said.

Campbell raised the idea of a central sports house where smaller federations could share office space.

He also outlined a funding plan linked to sports minister Gayton McKenzie’s Project 350, the plan to send 300 Olympians and 50 Paralympians to the 2028 Los Angeles Games.

The plan involves a central fund, similar to the Covid-19 solidarity fund, where big companies and well-funded federations would contribute money to boost what the government can offer.

Campbell said R98.5-million was budgeted for sports bodies for the 2025/26 year, with transfers already made to 57 organisations by the end of last year.

Pictured above: Gayton McKenzie.

Image source: Democratic Alliance