Battle for Bosso enters home stretch

THE countdown is on. In less than two weeks, Highlanders FC members will cast their votes to elect the club’s next chairman. The stakes are high, as the club seeks to end its 18-year drought of winning the league title.

The incumbent, Johnfat Sibanda, is hoping to secure a second term in office. But he knows it won’t be easy. He barely edged out his rival, Kenneth Mhlophe, in the 2021 election. And this time, he faces another challenger, Nodumo Nyathi, who has a seven-point plan to transform the club.

Sibanda is not the only one fighting for his position. The secretary-general, Morgen “Gazza” Dube, is also facing two opponents, Nsikelelo Moyo and Raerburn Ndebele. Committee member, Mgcini Mafu, has decided to step down, leaving Bheka Sibanda and Kindman Ndlovu to battle for his seat.

But all eyes are on the chairmanship race, which promises to be a fierce and tight contest. Sibanda, Mhlophe, and Nyathi have different visions and strategies for the club, but they all share one common goal: to bring back the glory days of Highlanders FC.

Saturday Chronicle spoke to the three candidates to find out their main mission.

Sibanda believes that continuity is the key to success. He points out that the club came close to winning the league last season and that he has the experience and the passion to lead the club to the Promised Land.

“We came close to winning the league last season and we are getting closer to achieving that goal and continuity will take us to the Promised Land. I have always stated that I would have achieved nothing without winning the league. Key to winning the league will be having a united Highlanders. If we work together and become a team, we will achieve a lot including the league title,” said Sibanda.

Nyathi, on the other hand, has a bold and ambitious plan to overhaul the club. He has a catchy slogan, #JITCAB, which stands for Junior Development, Infrastructure Development, Technology Advancement, Championship, Transparent Administration and Brand Bosso Advancement.

He says that all these aspects are important and intertwined, but his top priority is to end the club’s long wait for the championship.

“It must be remembered that I have a seven-point plan #JITCAB and all the seven are very important and intertwined, however, if I am to choose the most important it will be Leading the Royal Club Highlanders FC to Championship, 18-year wait is too much for such a great institution,” said Nyathi.

Mhlophe, who is making his second attempt to become the chairman, emphasises the need for unity and good governance at the club.

He says that he wants to improve the club’s governance by separating the powers and responsibilities of the board and the secretariat and by empowering the staff and the players.

“My main goal will be to ensure there is unity and good governance at the club. What we need right now is a united Highlanders. We want to improve the club’s governance through separation of powers and at the same time capacitate the secretariat,” said Mhlophe.

Mhlophe also made a plea for unity and respect among the members during the week via his social media pages. He urged his supporters to be tolerant and persuasive and not to insult or demean those who have different views.

“I am also aware that as members discuss who is the best to lead Bosso as chairman, sharp and sometimes emotional words may be exchanged, all in the interest of Bosso.

However, I am urging all those who believe in the Mhlophe philosophy that they must be tolerant, never insult or demean those members who do not see things the way we see them, instead try and convince them why they should vote for Retired Colonel Kenneth Mhlophe.

Respect is critical, lingathethisi abantu using my name or on my behalf, rather entice people to our side on my behalf or using my name, lokhu kungonco (its better),” said Mhlophe.

Before the elections, the club will hold its Annual General Meeting at the clubhouse tomorrow.

The AGM will follow the usual agenda of reading a notice convening the meeting, reading of previous annual general meeting minutes, matters arising from the previous minutes, chairman’s report, treasurer’s report, receiving and adoption of board’s report, confirmation of legal representatives, confirmation of auditors and discussion of business that due notice would have been given.

Sunday’s meeting will also see candidates for the executive elections get introduced to the members.