Africa-Press – Eswatini. Five years was the official period that was publicised when Mbabane Highlanders gave its directorship to South African businessman and politician Chief Ally Kgomongwe.
This was back in 2019 with the said contract reportedly signed in May 2019, the same year he came and ended the country’s most successful team’s trophy drought by winning the then Eswatini Telecom Charity Cup. While there were fears he would step down two years after the contract, due to business commitments in Pretoria, South Africa; he stayed on and pursued the team’s patrons’ structure to register the club as a company as the Confederation of African Football (CAF) club licensing requirements for elite clubs to have company status. This took time but eventually happened in December 2021, where he met with the supporters in their training base in Ezulwini and excitedly shared the news. the patrons agreed to his call and he would deliver the results.
Shareholding
He also announced a shareholding for those who felt they could potentially assist him, but joining him would mean forking out millions of Emalangeni as he had already invested several millions in his over five-year term. He is in his sixth year with the Mbabane capital city giants now. In essence, his five-year contract ended in May, this year. The question some may have is; was the contract extended? Patrons Secretary Musa Masuku yesterday enlightened this publication when sought for comment. “It is not a secret we spoke of a five-year contract, but that was then.”
“The team moved on to be a company and Kgomongwe is its Managing Director to date. He is running Highlanders as its MD and I must make it clear, he no longer operates based on a contract. “It is up to him how long he remains our MD and as we speak, the team is existent without most of the challenges some local teams have because he is our MD. He no longer has a time frame but he will decide when he wants to abandon his leadership otherwise he’s our MD for as long as he wants,” Masuku explained.
Kgomongwe did in one of his meetings with the Inkunz’emnyama supporters as he was questioned by some who were happy to have him as their leader about the five-year period. The supporters were concerned who would then come in and take over after his five years, which is why they stood behind him when he pushed for the company registration. “I know the Patrons had said five years but I met them; they agreed that we become a company and I’m so happy because that way I can deliver. I’m no chancer, I will deliver trophies and bring back the team’s glory days. Five years is permanent to me, it means nothing as I will be the team’s MD for life if I want. I grew up a Highlanders supporter because my father knew and loved the team and I will die black and white. So, I can be here permanently in short,” he had responded in 2021.
However, he could not be reached yesterday as his cellphone rang in vain and he was offline on WhatsApp for the better part of the day. It is understood he is currently busy with next year’s General Elections business and his business commitments. Meanwhile, Kgomongwe’s arrival at Highlanders has seen big names renowned from the Premier Soccer League (PSL) like Josef Lekata, Thamsanqa Sangweni and Punch Masenamela among others.
He also signed former Mbabane Swallows forward Sabelo ‘Sikhali’ Ndzinisa when his career looked nothing but over after he was banned by a South African Football Association (SAFA) Tribunal for his move to Mbombela United where he played before he was found guilty of being a defaulter as he had signed with TS Sporting first. He has since signed another former Mbombela and Swallows star in midfielder Banele ‘Pupu’ Sikhondze this season and the ex-South Africa’s Polokwane City player is set to debut tomorrow against Illovo at Mayaluka Stadium in the MTN Premier League.
“The team moved on to be a company and Kgomongwe is its Managing Director (MD) to date. He is running Highlanders as its MD and I must make it clear, he no longer operates based on a contract. “It is up to him how long he remains our MD and as we speak, the team is existent without most of the challenges some local teams have because he is our MD. He no longer has a time frame but he will decide when he wants to abandon his leadership otherwise he’s our MD for as long as he wants,” Masuku explained. Kgomongwe in one of his meetings with the Inkunz’emnyama supporters, was questioned by some who were happy to have him as their leader about the five-year period. The supporters were concerned about who would then come in and take over after his five years, which is why they stood behind him when he pushed for the company registration.
Patrons
“I know the patrons had said five years but I met them; they agreed that we become a company and I’m so happy because that way I can deliver. I’m no chancer, I will deliver trophies and bring back the team’s glory days. Five years is permanent to me, it means nothing as I will be the team’s MD for life if I want. I grew up a Highlanders supporter because my father knew and loved the team and I will die black and white. So, I can be here permanently in short,” he had responded in 2021. However, he could not be reached yesterday, as his cellphone rang in vain and he was offline on WhatsApp for the better part of the day. It is understood he is currently busy with next year’s general elections business and his business commitments.
Renowned
Meanwhile, Kgomongwe’s arrival at Highlanders has seen big names, renowned from the Premier Soccer League (PSL) like Josef Lekata, Thamsanqa Sangweni and Punch Masenamela among others. He also signed former Mbabane Swallows forward Sabelo ‘Sikhali’ Ndzinisa when his career looked nothing but over, after he was banned by a South African Football Association (SAFA) Tribunal for his move to Mbombela United, where he played before he was found guilty of being a defaulter as he had signed with TS Sporting first. He has since signed another former Mbombela and Swallows star in midfielder Banele ‘Pupu’ Sikhondze this season and the ex-South Africa’s Polokwane City player is set to debut tomorrow against Illovo at Mayaluka Stadium in the MTN Premier League.
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