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The Citizen
02-05-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
Western Province rugby has a new president and he's all about integrity
'We have this opportunity now to rectify this, and what excites me is to be a part of the solution.' Kevin Kiewitz has been elected president of the WPRFU. Picture: Mark Ward/Gallo Images Kevin Kiewitz was elected president of the Western Province Rugby Football Union (WPRFU) on Wednesday evening, securing 54% of the vote. Upon his victory, he said he hopes to promote integrity and restore the union's reputation. Moneeb Levy has taken up the position of deputy president with 63%, while Shamila Sulayman is the new vice-president, having received 57% of the vote. The eight additional executive committee members are Achmat Jacobs, Andre Kermis, Anton Schelhase, Francois Bonthuys, Bulelani Mlakalaka, Siyabonga Hani, Ruben Machelm, and Riaaz Khan. The lead-up to the elections was overshadowed by controversy around former WPRFU president Zelt Marais. Controversy in the elections Marais had been nominated for four positions: president, deputy president, vice-president, and executive committee member. However, the South African Rugby Union (Saru) confirmed that an independent appeal panel had upheld a disciplinary sanction against him for misconduct. These sanctions were derived from 'various statements made in communications to SA Rugby members and in public forums in 2022 and 2024'. These had brought the game into disrepute and spread misinformation, leading to a 10-year ban from any position in rugby and a suspended R50,000 fine. Marais attempted to enter the premises and contest the election 'under protest', Rugby365 reported, but was blocked by security personnel. His name was also removed from the ballot. Kevin Kiewitz hopes to restore the WP brand The union's new president is an attorney by profession. He previously served on the union's executive committee. There, he was instrumental in significant initiatives such as the sale of Newlands Stadium and the Red Disa equity deal. He resigned from his executive role in 2020, citing concerns over leadership decisions that he felt did not serve the game's best interests. 'For me, it's corporate governance, and leadership with integrity becomes important,' Kiewitz told SA Rugby magazine. 'Most importantly, you need to surround yourself with knowledgeable people… people with skills and that can contribute. 'We have this opportunity now to rectify this, and what excites me is to be a part of the solution… With leadership and integrity back at the table, we can rebuild and restore the Western Province brand.'
The South African
01-05-2025
- Politics
- The South African
Tygerberg RFC's Kiewitz crowned new WP Rugby president
Kevin Kiewitz has reportedly been elected as the new president of the Western Province Rugby Football Union (WPRFU). According to Netwerk24 , he secured 54% of votes at Wednesday's meeting at Cape Town Stadium, edging out Ronald Bantom and Ruben Machelm. It is understood that Moneeb Levy won the deputy president position with 63% of votes against Machelm, Eugene Andries and Mario Williams, while Shamila Sulayman claimed the vice-presidency with 57% support. And according to a reporting on Rugby365 , the elections proceeded without observers and were overseen by SARU-appointed administrator Peter Jooste as moderator. Former Western Province Rugby Football Union president Zelt Marais, who faced nominations for four positions, was reportedly barred entry by security after an independent appeal panel upheld his 10-year suspension from rugby activities for misconduct violations. He had been charged with misconduct following various statements made in communications to SA Rugby members and in public forums in 2022 and 2024. In upholding the sanction, Marais was suspended for 10 years from any and all positions in the South African Rugby Union (SARU), or any other rugby body, and from any and all rugby activities for breaching the SARU Code of Conduct. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
