Former Anti-Apartheid Activist Seeks FIFA Presidency

Tokyo Sexwale, a South African whose fight against apartheid led to a 13-year imprisonment alongside Nelson Mandela, announced Saturday that he intends to run for president of FIFA, the international governing body of football.

Following the unanimous endorsement of the South African Football Association for his candidacy, Sexwale confirmed his intention to run for the top job in soccer’s regulatory body.  

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The move comes two days before the deadline for potential candidates to submit papers for the emergency election to replace embattled president Sepp Blatter, recently suspended over allegations of corruption. The election for his replacement will be held on Feb. 26.

Sexwale, a diamond mining tycoon as well as politician, is the fifth official candidate for the presidency. If succesful, he will be the first African to head the 111-year-old organization.

Others who have confirmed their wish for candidacy are: Union of European Football Associations President Michel Platini, Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein of Jordan, ex-FIFA official Jerome Champagne and David Nakhid of Trinidad and Tobago.

Potential candidates must have the backing of five national federations, demonstrate themselves to have played a role in football for at least two years, and undergo an ethics check.

Former front-runner Platini was recently suspended for 90 days over a US$2 million payment he received from Blatter.

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As well as aiding the organization of South Africa’s 2010 World Cup, Sexwale has worked on FIFA’s anti-discrimination commitee and helped mediate disputes between Israeli and Palestinian soccer federations.

His political background is also impressive. He was a key activist in the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa and was jailed on Robben Island with Mandela, who became a close friend.

Sexwale was a cabinet minister in South Africa’s first fully democratic government and is now a multi-millionaire.