IFA leadership elections come at a heavy price

CANDIDATES in the IFA election are facing into three unenviable months of torturous campaigning in the four corners of the country, mentally demanding and financially draining, as they battle for the votes to decide the next leader and deputy leader.

The recent structural reform of the Association introduced important voting changes. But it did nothing to reduce the time, energy and cost demands on those who aspire to leadership.

As a result, IFA runs the risk of losing superb candidates for the job, because they will not enter election contests in which candidates must be prepared to spend enormous amounts of money.