SASCOC president pays tribute to South African Sailing and Michael Robinson
A hugely successful South African Sailing AGM took place last week and, along with numerous federation members, was also attended by representatives of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture as well as various provincial sports confederations.
Also among the attendees was the president of the South African Sports Confederation, Olympic and Paralympic Committee (SASCOC), Barry Hendricks.
The AGM included an unexpected and particularly meaningful moment when Mr Hendricks paid tribute to the work of the federation and to outgoing President Michael Robinson.
While a representative from SASCOC had been invited to attend, members were honoured that Mr Hendricks himself made the time to join the AGM. Rather than simply delivering a formal greeting and leaving, as he explained is often customary when attending federation AGMs, he remained for the proceedings out of respect for Michael and for South African Sailing.
His comments provided a significant endorsement of the work being done within the sport. Mr Hendricks recognised sailing's position as an Olympic sport and the responsibility this carries, but also spoke about something much broader: the ability of sport – and sailing in particular – to change lives across South Africa's diverse communities.
Reflecting on Michael's tenure, he thanked him for his contribution to the development of sport in South Africa, his commitment to good governance and transformation, and the relationships and networks he has built during his years at the helm.
Most significantly, Mr Hendricks described changing lives as “one of the most important things the President can do.”
He also made it clear that Michael's contribution to sailing should not end with the conclusion of his presidency. Addressing incoming President Keelan Govender, he noted that Michael's knowledge, experience and networks remain enormously valuable to the federation and expressed the hope that he would continue to guide and support the new leadership.
“There’s still too much work to be done to take the sport of sailing to the next level.”
Mr Hendricks congratulated Keelan Govender on his election and gave an important assurance for the future, expressing SASCOC's commitment to working with the new leadership “to grow your sport” and to support the vision of sailing continuing to make a difference across South Africa.
For Michael, presiding over his final AGM as President of South African Sailing, the words carried particular significance. He thanked Mr Hendricks in return for the support SASCOC had given both him and the federation throughout his tenure.
The exchange was a fitting moment at the end of a chapter for South African Sailing: recognition not only of one President's contribution, but of the progress of the federation as a whole.
Perhaps Mr Hendricks summed it up best when speaking about Michael's departure from the presidency: “There’s no such thing as retirement… Sportsmen never retire. There’s always work to be done.”
For South African Sailing, it was both a generous tribute to the past and a strong vote of confidence in the future.
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