UWC alumnus and world-renowned sports administrator, Dr Danny Jordaan, has been elected as the president of the embattled South African Football Association (SAFA).

Jordaan, who obtained a BA degree and a teacher’s diploma from the University in the 1970s, replaced Kirsten Nematandani after he convincingly beat Mandla Mazibuko to the top seat with 162 votes to 88 at SAFA’s elective congress in late September 2013.

The elections were conducted by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) and were also monitored by members from FIFA and continental soccer bodies, CAF and SASCOC.

Once the results were announced, the Congress venue burst into song and dance, celebrating the 62-year old’s ascendancy to one of the country’s most demanding jobs.

Jordaan sought the mandate to lead SAFA on the promise to improve Bafana Bafana’s overall performance and youth development, to strengthen women’s football as well as the Association’s financial standing.

He has all the attributes to achieve the goals.

A former lecturer, politician and anti-apartheid activist, Jordaan led South Africa's successful 2010 FIFA World Cup bid, the first successful one for Africa. He also led their unsuccessful bid four years earlier for the 2006 FIFA World Cup. In addition, he was the chief executive officer of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa campaign.

Jordaan has served FIFA in numerous capacities, including as a General Co-ordinator for the Youth World Cup (now FIFA U-20 World Cup), 2001 FIFA Confederations Cup and the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Korea/Japan. He was also a match commissioner for the 2006 FIFA World Cup and a member of the 2006 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee.

Along with his involvement in football, Jordaan is also a member of the International Marketing Council. In 1993 he was appointed as a director of the Cape Town Olympic Bid Company and in 1997 he was elected as the chief executive officer of SAFA.