TOKYO SEXWALE - AN ENIGMATIC CHARACTER

Now that the FIFA election is over, one wonders what possessed Tokyo Sexwale to throw his hat into the ring for president, and then withdraw his name at the eleventh hour. The selection of a FIFA president was under a global microscope. Any candidate's questionable past conduct, including even the slimmest appearance of impropriety would doom the prospect of electability. FIFA was compelled to elect a candidate with a squeaky clean background coupled with requisite executive skills. Sexwale's business acumen is not an issue, but his past business and political dealings are too controversial and laced in secrecy to satisfy FIFA delegates seeking transparency and reform of the scandal plagued organisation. Sexwale is a controversial man, and the last thing FIFA needed was controversy in the man to replace Blatter. Sexwale was never considered to be the popular choice for president. The fact that the South African Football Association (SAFA) went along with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) decision not to endorse Sexwale speaks volumes. Sexwale must have known early on that lobbying for the presidency was a futile exercise. Why then did he wait until the eleventh hour to withdraw? Was it narcissism with a large dose of egomania? Maybe, but it is too simplistic, and belies Sexwale's political shrewdness. Consider Sexwale's motive that on the eve of the election he took Infantino, FIFA's new president, on a tour of Robben Island. Sexwale lost the battle, but not by default. He is imbued with too much political savvy and acuity of mind to lose. Do not be surprised if Sexwale has the last laugh at the expense of SAFA and CAF.