Joe Morris offers advice to CGA board after successful elections

By Charles Baloyi
28th January 2026

Veteran South African athletics administrator Joe Morris has urged the newly elected Central Gauteng Athletics (CGA) board to hit the ground running following the successful elections held at Germiston Stadium.

Despite missing out on the vice-president position, Morris has welcomed the outcome and shared valuable advice drawn from nearly 50 years of service to the sport and his long-standing loyalty to CGA.

The new leadership is headed by president Karabo Mabilo, alongside deputy president Lethabo Mashigo, track and field chairperson Maggie Dicks, cross country chairperson Val Brentano, road running chairperson Cindy Nkomo, and athletes’ commission representative Tiyani Khoza.

“I believe that the new board should focus on policies,strengthening our administration and our three disciplines, especially cross-country and road, and ensuring that development is addressed to its maximum.

“They should also introduce buses to take the disadvantaged children to these meetings, it was done in the past and it can be done now. I believe CGA is financially sound; they do have the resources,” said Morris.

READ: Karabo Mabilo expects admin to hand over new board in February

The 74-year-old, who celebrated his birthday last week, told SABC Sport that he is satisfied with how the elections unfolded. Despite losing to Mashigo in the contest for deputy president, Morris said he is pleased with the process and has no regrets, adding that he fully supports the newly elected leadership.

“I’ve looked at the composition of the board. We have more women than men, which is amazing. Secondly, the people that are on the board at the moment are all intellectual; they are all legal minded, and I think that’s what we need.”

Morris also praised Karabo Mabilo, who served as acting president for 18 months before being elected to the position for a full four-year term.

He believes the clubs were right to entrust her with the role and offered guidance to the taxation lawyer as she begins her tenure at the helm of CGA.

Morris concluded by expressing his hope that the new CGA board will be given the opportunity to serve without disruption.

He appealed to Athletics South Africa and the broader council to allow the leadership space and time to work, stressing that unity is essential to avoid another dissolution due to internal conflicts and to ensure resources are directed towards developing athletics in the province.