The process of finding Graeme Smith’s replacement as Cricket SA (CSA) director of cricket and filling other vacant executive positions within the governing body is still in its formative stages, says CEO Pholetsi Moseki.
Smith, who was appointed on an interim basis in December 2019 and full-time four months later, parted ways with CSA last month after the former captain’s contract ran out on March 31 and was not renewed by the organisation.
As was the case with his appointment, Moseki said CSA had enlisted the services of a recruitment agency to find Smith’s replacement and fill four other senior executive positions, to make the process fair and transparent.
“The process is still in its infancy. We have an executive search firm that is now doing the shortlisting,” said Moseki.
CSA began its search for a new director of cricket, CFO, chief marketing officer, chief commercial officer and public affairs executive last month. The closing date for applications was April 4.
It is not clear who the leading candidates are to replace Smith in the critical role of director of cricket but Corrie van Zyl, Dave Nosworthy and Hussein Manack have been mentioned as potential candidates.
Sunday Times Daily understands seasoned administrator Manack, a former player and part of the national panel of selectors for the men’s senior Proteas team, has again thrown his name into the hat.
Smith has left his post but is entangled in a formal arbitration with CSA after he was implicated in findings of the social justice and nation-building report.
The advertisements for the jobs were published a few days after CSA ended its long search for a permanent CEO by permanently appointing Moseki, who had been acting in the position, on March 16.
The filling of the vacant posts will stabilise CSA’s executive as the new board and management seek to restore the organisation’s former glory.
Moseki said CSA was waiting to hear feedback from the independent recruitment agency.
CSA’s positions advertised are:
Director of cricket
Smith has left his post but is entangled in a formal arbitration with CSA after he was implicated in findings of the social justice and nation-building (SJN) report.
The SJN ruled that Smith didn’t follow due process when he appointed his former teammate Mark Boucher as head coach of the Proteas, demoting then interim coach Enoch Nkwe to be his assistant.
The closing argument of the arbitration hearing was held last month and an outcome is expected before the end of April.
The findings of the arbitration may have a bearing on his future involvement within the organisation.
CFO
Moseki joined CSA as CFO in 2019 and stepped up to the CEO role on an acting basis in December 2020.
Christelle Janse van Rensburg acted as the finance boss after Moseki was elevated to CEO on an interim basis.
Chief commercial officer
Kugandrie Govender joined CSA in April 2019 as chief commercial officer.
Govender became the first woman to lead CSA after she was appointed as acting CEO in August 2020 after the resignation of Jacques Faul.
She was suspended four months later after protracted disciplinary proceedings and eventually dismissed in July 2021.
There have been various acting incumbents since Govender’s dismissal. Former communications boss Thamie Mthembu, and apparently Smith, acted in the role at some point.
It’s a key executive position aimed at maximising the commercial wing of the organisation and exploring new revenue streams outside traditional ones.
Chief marketing officer
This is a new office the organisation has established to enhance the overall management of marketing and brand affairs.
CSA’s advertisement requests someone with an honours degree in marketing or business degree and a minimum of 10 years’ experience in all aspects of developing and executing marketing strategies at a senior level.
Public affairs executive
The job title has changed from communications and media head to public affairs executive. It is a strategic role in the overall management of public affairs of CSA.
Thamie Mthembu occupied the role after joining CSA in 2019. Lucy Davey acted as the communications boss in August 2020 after Mthembu was deployed to act as chief commercial officer.
Mthembu and CSA parted ways at the end of February.
Internal communications head Sipho Rihlamvu has been acting public affairs executive since Mthembu left.
Rihlamvu, a respected communicator who is credited with playing a leading role in the resuscitation of the organisation’s communications desk, is a front runner for the job.
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