Online Reporter
Lovemore Dube-Zimpapers Sports Hub
HIGHLANDERS’ extraordinary general meeting today could turn into one of the most defining and divisive moments in the club’s modern history.
At the centre is a vote of no confidence filed by outspoken member Pilate Mahlangu, a move that has already lit a fire under an already restless membership.
On August 8, Mahlangu wrote to the club calling for the removal of the chairman and executive, accusing them of failing both on the pitch and in the boardroom.
He says Bosso’s finances are a mess, brand value is being wasted, and the club is drifting without the leadership its history demands.
Mahlangu insists his call is about accountability, not ambition.
“Whether it gains traction or not, I have driven a point from a corporate governance angle, that the executive needs to be transparent and show initiative towards taking the club up there where it belongs.
“My view is that my individual view should not be hijacked by those that have always enjoyed disunity at the club. We do not want to go the Dynamos and Zimbabwe Saints way. Constitutionalism and unity of purpose have seen Bosso grow to what it is today. Things have not gone the script’s way and as members we want the rot stopped,” he said.
A two-time election loser for secretary-general and the vice-chairman’s posts, Mahlangu says this isn’t personal.
“I am not bitter at all, I come from the corporate way of doing things and I want better for Highlanders and even for Mhlophe and his executive. But the bottom line is the executive must perform better and deliver its promises to us members.
“As for those who are thinking it’s their chance it would be unfortunate for them to support my motion for personal gain. I am not interested in any post that may arise for now and in the future,” he said.
Life member Noah Mpofu warned against turning the EGM into a blood sport.
“This is a democratic process we are proud of as a club that we have. These meetings hold all of us accountable. We should emerge stronger from the meeting with renewed vigour and desire to serve in whatever capacities towards making Highlanders great again.
“Let us not lose sight that in disunity, there is no success. We hold our leadership accountable and pray they take note and act seriously on our wishes,” Mpofu said.
The weight of history looms large. Bosso haven’t won the league since 2006 or lifted any PSL silverware since 2019. Despite being Zimbabwe’s most supported club, their finances remain anaemic, their commercial potential untapped.
Yet they remain one of the few local outfits that follows a strict constitution, retains legal counsel, and hires auditors ratified at every AGM.
Their legacy is anchored by a roll call of legends, Bruce Grobbelaar, Marvelous Nakamba, Madinda and Peter Ndlovu, Honour Gombami, Methembe Ndlovu, Zenzo Moyo, Noel Kaseke, Joel Luphahla, Ralph Matema, Vusa Nyoni, Mkhokheli Dube, the late Adam Ndlovu, Ernest Sibanda, Rahman Gumbo, Mercedes Sibanda and Willard Khumalo, who have carried the black and white colours to every corner of the globe.
But inside the club, the mood is tense.
Member John Ngazimbi says while the no-confidence motion is constitutional, it’s risky.
“Members are free to air their views so that what is off track is attended to, fix it as members. We will be setting a very bad precedent. Most people who threatened to do it against Johnfat are supporting Mhlophe now, it shows how divided we are. Elections should usher in leadership, not otherwise.
“We had elections in February with the vice-chairman uncontested, so if we remove them where will we get those when we brought in the vice-chairman’s uncontested. We will create leadership, yes constitution provides for that, I do not see it as a good thing, even though I respect everyone’s opinion. As Highlanders we are very democratic,” he said, noting he will miss the meeting due to other commitments.
Progress Ndlovu believes the motion is built on shaky ground.
“One of our greatest challenges at Highlanders is lack of patience. At times we are quick to act without evaluating what the consequences of some of the actions could be. The vote of no confidence motion is invalid because all what is listed are some unverified allegations,” he said, adding he expects facts to be clarified and solutions sought during the meeting.
Bosso have enjoyed recent financial injections from Wicknell Chivayo, BetterBrands and Sakunda.
But insiders fear today’s EGM could be hijacked by those with political ambitions, with Bosso’s deepening factional lines, between those driven by service and those lured by new sponsorship riches, threatening to define the club’s future more than any result on the pitch.
