Kevin Kiewitz believes it’s time for the Western Province Rugby Football Union (WPRFU) to move on from division and dysfunction, and he’s ready to help lead the reset.
One of three confirmed candidates for the WPRFU executive committee vacancies ahead of the union’s 30 April elections, Kiewitz brings a familiar voice and clear vision.
An attorney and former Exco member, Kiewitz played a pivotal role in the union’s Newlands Stadium sale and Red Disa equity deal.
Kiewitz’s return to the election frame comes three years after the WPRFU was placed under SA Rugby (Saru) administration. He says lessons from that turbulent time will guide his approach.
“For me, it’s corporate governance, and leadership with integrity becomes important,” Kiewitz told SA Rugby magazine. “Most importantly, you need to surround yourself with knowledgeable people… people with skills and that can contribute.
“The boardroom is not about the game, it’s about the business of rugby. You need people from various communities and skill sets to provide coordinated and collective leadership.
“I don’t think the leadership of WPRFU is a full-time job; that’s also been something that people have come out and tried to create jobs for themselves within the space.”
Kiewitz, who has been nominated by Tygerberg Rugby Club, didn’t complete his previous term in 2020 amid what he describes as a fractured and self-serving leadership.
“I believe my track record with club rugby speaks for itself. I was unable to complete my term because the leadership I served with did not make decisions that served the game.
“We have this opportunity now to rectify this, and what excites me is to be a part of the solution… With leadership and integrity back at the table, we can rebuild and restore the Western Province brand.
“We have a powerful brand. When I go to the fields I can still see that passion for the brand.”
Looking back, he highlights “slate politics” as a critical failure. “What happened at Western Province was slate politics, and slates’ decisions became more important than rugby decisions or business decisions. We need to eradicate this thing of slates.
“If it wasn’t for the slates we wouldn’t have been in this position. The data and information on the table did not fit their predetermined outcome, but they insisted on their predetermined decision.”
Kiewitz is adamant that WP Rugby’s credibility must be rebuilt through broad stakeholder engagement.
“Stakeholder engagement is probably the most important. There’s so many stakeholders within WP Rugby and we can start with our sponsors; without the business community we can go nowhere.
“I’ve served club rugby for many years and I can see there’s so many people that can do the jobs but when there’s chaos, none of us can work in chaos.
“We need to bring respect into the room, the old values – bring integrity and truthfulness back to the table. We need good people to put their hands up and come forward again.”
He’s drawn inspiration from what he calls a vibrant local game: “The reality is that club rugby is so healthy within Western Province.
“I’ve been visiting clubs for the past few months now. Every Saturday I’m at a different field and am excited to see the quality of the young and passionate players out there.
“I’m excited to be a part of their growth because, in three to five years from now, those boys will be at the core of our provincial and national teams.”
Photo: Mark Ward/Gallo Images
