Athletics South Africa (ASA) has been hit by another major leadership blow following the immediate resignation of former Acting President John Mathane from all his positions within the national federation.
Mathane has stepped down as Deputy President and resigned his seat on the ASA board, just 18 months after joining the federation’s executive leadership structure. His exit follows a turbulent period in which he was recently replaced in the acting Presidency by Track and Field Chairperson Jean Verster at the end of October, part of a broader leadership and constitutional overhaul mandated by World Athletics.
In a candid resignation letter dated November 11, 2026, and addressed to ASA acting CEO Terence Magogodela, Mathane said his departure was driven by mounting frustration over the federation’s governance, leadership direction, and fractured internal working relationships. The Athletics Gauteng North President did not mince his words, indicating that the environment inside ASA had become untenable and urging the body to put the welfare of athletes ahead of personal ambitions.
–ChannelAfrica–
