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Ricky Zililo Sports Reporter
BULAWAYO businessman Titus Ncube and Hillside Teachers’ College principal Elkanah Dube are set to bounce back into the Highlanders board of directors. The duo has in the past served as club board members but tendered their resignations two years ago after failing to agree with some things that were going on at the institution.
According to impeccable sources, Dube, who was first to step down from the Highlanders board in December 2010 due to pressing work commitments and Ncube, who followed suit in January 2011 citing mediocrity and lack of prudence within the club’s management, are contenders for the two vacant Highlanders board positions.
The case is expected to be presented to the Highlanders’ bona fide members during the club’s mid year general meeting soon.
“The board members met over the weekend and agreed to forward the names of Titus Ncube and Elkanah Dube to the club’s members so that they can be considered for vacant board positions. They feel that Ncube and Dube can add value to the club and can serve well hence their recommendations,” said a source.
The Highlanders board has 12 seats but only 10 have been taken.
The board has chairman Mgcini Nkolomi who took over from Dumisani Sandi early this year after the latter elected to remain as an ordinary board member, Jonathan Moyo, Msongelwa Mangena, Justice Nicholas Mathonsi, Cosmas Sikhosana, Luke Mnkandla, Jimmy Ncube, Thomas Ngwenya and Davis Sibanda.
Jimmy Ncube, the board’s spokesman, yesterday could neither deny nor confirm that Titus and Dube had been shortlisted for board positions but confirmed that they would recommend two people to join them.
It is believed Matthew Sibindi was also in the running but members unanimously voted for Titus and Dube.
“As a board we have decided to utilise all the board slots meaning that since we have been working as a 10-member board, we will add two people.
As it is we are in the process of shortlisting names which we are going to recommend to the owners of the club who are members during the mid year general meeting.
“Unfortunately, I cannot tell you the names of people shortlisted you can only know about them after the Highlanders members have endorsed them,” said Ncube.
For one to be eligible for a Highlanders board seat, they have to have been a bona fide life card carrying member for at least 10 years and must have helped the club in different ways.
When Titus Ncube tendered his resignation to the club’s board of directors he was quick to point out that his heart was still with Highlanders and would return if his services were needed at a later stage when things were “normal”.
“I have love for my community and I love the team but it is difficult when you find yourself singing from a different hymn book.
“It’s just like when a player sees it fit that he be substituted and he calls out to the referee to take him out, it does not mean that he has left the team. If my services are needed at a later stage, I will return,” he said then.
His departure had been prompted by the fact that his area of expertise (finance) was at its worst in the club and that did not go down well with him as a member of the board.
“The gravity of the situation at Highlanders is now gross. The state of the institution vis-à-vis the area of my expertise is not in tandem. The input that we have made has not been translated into action. Basically what has made me step down is mediocrity and lack of prudence by management both within the board and the executive committee.
“Our voices have continually not been heard. The results are there for the people to see in terms of the situation. The club has been in debt for the last three years. My challenge to the members is to look and judge the situation for themselves. The criteria is simple. Has there been any delivery?
If the answer is not positive, it’s up to the stakeholders to re-arrange the situation. As for me, my judgment is clear. We have failed as a club. There is no harm in bringing in others,” Ncube was quoted as saying.
His concerns were seen last year when the club discovered a number of financial irregularities that later forced ex-treasurer Odiel Nkomo to step down after an audit was conducted unearthing proof that PSL match figures and those at the club did not tally.
Online Reporter