She now sits in one of the hottest seats in South African football, but Lydia Monyepao was calm as ever as she addressed media for the first time after her appointment as SAFA CEO, having come all the way up from first playing for Banyana Banyana.
Hers is a story of someone who has come full circle. From playing for the senior women's national team, to working as a manager for the same team, and then taking up influential roles at the association. She has now vacated the role of Chief Operations Officer to become the new Chief Executive Officer after Tebogo Motlanthe resigned from the role over the weekend.
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For someone who has been in the game for a long time, Monyepao is well aware of the fact that the role comes with a lot more pressure than most of the others would, but she is ready to role up her sleeves and get things done to ensure that South African football heads in the right direction.
"I was the Chief Operation Officer, until being appointed the CEO of SAFA. I would like to thank the association for having confidence in me and my abilities. I was working closely with Advocate Motlanthe on many issues around South African football, so I do have the knowledge in terms of what was happening and what needs to be carried forward. I was very much involved with the 2027 bid and women's football and other operations on that side. It's big shoes that I am filling and I have to hit the ground running and I am capable of hitting the ground running. I am not naïve in terms of what is required for this job. I know the challenges around any CEO of the South African Football Association. No job is easy. You have to take it as it comes and apply what you are good at and capable of," Monyepao told media at her unveiling at SAFA House on Monday morning.
"My CV can show you in terms of my previous experience and educational qualifications. I believe I am capable of this. Yes, the position came earlier than expected because I was expecting myself and the CEO to work together until both our contracts run out in three years time, but unfortunately he decided to end it here. But, as they say, you always have to be ready for whatever comes and take opportunities whenever they present themselves. I am ready to serve and do my best in the position. I will take the job as it comes and see what unfolds. I am not going to say I am scared or I have my guard up. It's a clean slate for me."
Making the decision was not quite a walk in the park. As a family woman, Monyepao had to discuss the big appointment with her husband, due to the fact that a role as massive as the one she has assumed can take up so much time on a daily basis, which means there is a possibility of spending less time with her children.
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"Coming into this position in terms of where I stand, as a mother of two young future Banyana Banyana players, obviously there is a need to be involved in the upbringing of my children. I am not saying I have to be treated special because I am a woman with children...because there has always been that tendency that women don't get appointed in these kind of positions because they are women, they have children and they are not capable in terms of availing themselves for the time.
"When this opportunity came about and the NEC and the president starting discussing with me, I indicated that I had to go home and discuss it with my husband, because he is my support base. With our children being so young, we always have to take turns in terms of their needs and requirements. This job is challenging and I will be required, now and again, to be traveling. One has to balance work and life. It's quite important that one takes that into consideration, but I am available for the position. I think it's a great opportunity for the women who are coming behind me as well, because everyone is looking up to me to represent them on this stage."
