Linda Zweyn, Natasha Ciclas, and Tankiso Modipa have taken on key leadership roles in the governance body of South African football, bringing diverse experience in administration, club football, and development to SAFA.
The three were elected as vice presidents following a recent meeting of the South African Football Association's national executive committee in Sandton and join Danny Jordan's team for another four-year term.
Their professional backgrounds offer insight into the individuals tasked with helping shape SAFA's Vision 2030 and the future of the game.
Linda Zweyn: A Football Administrator Outside SAFA
Zweyn's administrative career began in 1996 after playing for Botleng Classic FC and briefly trying his hand at coaching. He progressed through local and regional structures in the Mpumalanga province before becoming a notable figure in provincial and national football administration.
He served as president of SAFA Nkangala and worked within the Victor Hanye Local Football Association. Besides football, Zweyn is the president of the Mpumalanga Sports Confederation and a member of the SASCOC board, where he chairs the Coaches Committee.
His appointment to the SAFA executive committee in May 2026 expanded his influence on regional football management. Zweyn has prioritized grassroots development, fair resource distribution, coaching education, and strengthening school football structures. His mandate is to ensure that opportunities extend beyond established football hubs and reach players in rural and urban communities.
Natasha Ciclas: Long-Standing Presence in the Game
Ciclas earned a reputation through decades of involvement in football administration, particularly at Mamelodi Sundowns, where she served as Managing Director. She played a significant role in managing the club alongside her late husband, Angelo Ciclas, during Sundowns' formative years. Since then, the club has become one of the most successful teams in South African football.
Her experience also encompasses international football structures and activities within SAFA, including participation in preparations for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Ciclas remains a prominent woman in the historically male-dominated landscape of football administration. Her consistent presence in SAFA's leadership provides institutional knowledge, with a particular focus on developing women's football and further professionalizing the game in areas requiring sustained attention.
Tankiso Modipa: From Regional Structures to National Leadership
Modipa is the newest member of the trio of vice presidents, replacing Bennett Bailey. His experience includes leadership roles within the Western Cape SAFA structures and service on the national executive committee. He also heads the National Working Committee of the Football Transformation Forum, which supported Jordan during the recent presidential elections.
Modipa's administrative background gives him a regional perspective on football development issues and challenges facing structures outside the country's major centers. His elevation opens the opportunity to bring these issues into the national decision-making process, especially concerning access, transformation, and pathways for young players.
The Task Ahead
These three administrators are now jointly responsible for assisting in the implementation of SAFA's Vision 2030 alongside Chief Executive Officer Lidiya Moniapo. Jordan has identified football in schools, player development, and national team excellence as central priorities. Their experience forms the foundation, but their legacy will ultimately be judged by measurable progress: strengthening grassroots structures, improving coaching pathways, and creating better opportunities for players across the country. Over the next four years, the three SAFA vice presidents must turn these ambitions into tangible results.