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CSA to comply with SASCOC

Johannesburg - Cricket SA's board has announced that non-independent, "amateur" directors will continue to form the majority in its new structure, complying with SASCOC's wishes.

A special general meeting agreed in Kempton Park on Wednesday that the restructured board would comprise five independent directors and seven non-independent directors for 18 months following the February 2 AGM.

The board would then be expanded to include seven independent directors and nine non-independent representatives - one from each province.

"Initially, the seven non-independent directors will come from the ranks of the presidents of the affiliates, before following the due geo-political regions," CSA acting president Willie Basson said.

"Of course we are not entirely happy with this. Our goal was to have a five-five split of directors, but as a member of SASCOC (SA Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee) we have to fulfil their criteria and they are very clear about that.

"Rugby and cricket will face huge practical problems implementing this, but the new board will continue to engage with SASCOC because we don't want to set up conflict with them. But we will also try to ensure the board is not too unwieldy."

Basson said even though non-independent administrators would be in the majority, contrary to the Nicholson inquiry's recommendations, the views and skills of independent voices would still be heard.

"We are the only sports body in the country that has as significant a number of independent directors, and that will definitely impact the way the board operates in the future.

"The independent directors will bring greater objectivity and their skills base to the board."

As proposed in the King III report on corporate governance, a lead independent director would be elected to act as a guide for the chairperson of the board. CSA's president would act as board chairperson.

"The president will have ultimate authority, without question, as recommended by King III and SASCOC is adamant about that as well.

"The independent, lead director is appointed in case there is conflict between the president and the board and it is a good governance principle."

Basson said he would continue as acting president until the AGM, despite suggestions the board may ask him to step down in the wake of allegations he was involved in apartheid-era chemical warfare programs.

"I will carry on until the AGM having explained myself for the umpteenth time to the board, and they accepted my explanation. It's very simple: I had been involved for two years in the 1980s with the defensive side of chemical research and since just before 1994 in exactly the same area for the present government structures," Basson said.
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