Sick and tired as I have become writing endless stories about failed, self-serving administrators, too many good ‘cricket people’ have urged me not to stop until the game’s boardroom landscape is clear. Sadly, that will take years. For those who believed Cricket South Africa had achieved a landmark breakthrough with the Members Council agreement to the institution of a majority independent board of directors, let’s be quite clear about one important point: they didn’t.
Excellent piece Manners, as always. The value of choosing independents depends, as you intimated, on the quality of the independents, and the quality of the people who choose them. That's why the independents issue is a potential problem, especially in SA. Another way of approaching the problem is to reduce the money paid to board members. Is it asking too much to return to the old days, when people were given travel and R&R allowances? The relative lack of money would, I am sure, drive away those who are motivated by status and money rather than love of the game.
Compo, Payments for directors was a Nicholson recommendation on the basis that the days 'amateur' administration had passed for cricket. If the best qualified directors were to be appointed, they should be suitably compensated for their time. An independent remunerations company recommended a fee of R24k per meeting, four meetings per year. So R96k per annum. That was to cover the preparation time as well as the meetings themselves. It seemed reasonable. Suitable for a top executive but not enough to significantly affect your life or, hopefully act as an incentive to sit on the board.
The fact that the Members Council approved increases to over R400k tells you all you need to know about their motivations...
I know who they are but have been advised not to publish them. Yet. But it won't be long before they are revealed. Voting should never be secret in the first place. Why is the process not transparent? What are they afraid of?
Once again Manners, on the nail. Don't stop putting the pressure on. Even if many don't know who voted for or against, those who went against the same choice know that others are aware.
Excellent piece Manners, as always. The value of choosing independents depends, as you intimated, on the quality of the independents, and the quality of the people who choose them. That's why the independents issue is a potential problem, especially in SA. Another way of approaching the problem is to reduce the money paid to board members. Is it asking too much to return to the old days, when people were given travel and R&R allowances? The relative lack of money would, I am sure, drive away those who are motivated by status and money rather than love of the game.
Compo, Payments for directors was a Nicholson recommendation on the basis that the days 'amateur' administration had passed for cricket. If the best qualified directors were to be appointed, they should be suitably compensated for their time. An independent remunerations company recommended a fee of R24k per meeting, four meetings per year. So R96k per annum. That was to cover the preparation time as well as the meetings themselves. It seemed reasonable. Suitable for a top executive but not enough to significantly affect your life or, hopefully act as an incentive to sit on the board.
The fact that the Members Council approved increases to over R400k tells you all you need to know about their motivations...
Thanks for that.
Hi Neil, who are the 14 Presidents and is it possible to name those who voted for and against the motion?
Hi Adrian,
I know who they are but have been advised not to publish them. Yet. But it won't be long before they are revealed. Voting should never be secret in the first place. Why is the process not transparent? What are they afraid of?
Agreed. It's time to name names.
I'm going to guess the five came from those on the board already Non-Independent Directors:
– Beresford Williams (Acting President)
– Angelo Carolissen
– Donovan May
– Tebogo Siko
– Zola Thamae
– John Mogodi
I'm guessing you are correct...
Once again Manners, on the nail. Don't stop putting the pressure on. Even if many don't know who voted for or against, those who went against the same choice know that others are aware.
Thank you, Barry. There is a very long way to go, as you know. There are many details still being 'discussed' by the Interim Board and the MC...
I echo the sentiment - Don't Stop keeping cricket lovers informed. So very, very much appreciated!
Thank you, Neville, but I wish I was writing a lot more about the contest between bat and ball...!