Showa got nine votes to Ofentse Khumomotse's six, while there was one spoilt vote as the 16 BFL clubs took part in the election. Five candidates, Carlos Sebina, Kebaabetswe Bogatsu, Matsomi Madisa, Kealeboga Gaseitsiwe and Masoko Masoko came out of the election process empty handed. Showa replaces former chairperson, Peter Kesitilwe who resigned last month. The closed door meeting reportedly had some heated moments, centered on outgoing chief executive, Bennett Mamelodi. Mamelodi had confirmed last week during a press briefing that he had been asked to stay on by the Board while the hunt for a substantive chief executive is concluded. He was serving a one-month notice after tendering his resignation following a tense BFL annual general assembly in Palapye last month. But after the Friday BFL meeting, Mamelodi left office and confirmed yesterday that he was now at home.
Some BFL shareholders reportedly raised objections to Mamelodi's continued stay, arguing if he remained in office, he might influence the recruitment process. Mamelodi is reportedly among candidates who have applied for the secretariat's top post alongside Olebile Sikwane, Billy Sekgororoane, Sidney Magagane, with former CEO, Senzo Mbatha. Other than the CEO's recruitment, the new BFL chairperson, together with the Board, are expected to move decisively and finalise the FNB Premiership sponsorship, the proposed Betway partnership as well as broadcasting rights deal. The season started at the weekend, but some issues remain outstanding. Showa's elevation to the chairperson's post means that there is a vacancy for independent non-executive director within the Board. At the previous election, Showa beat Sekgororoane to the post and accordingly, the second placed candidate had to take up the role of independent non-executive director.
