Harare-based duo vies for Bosso vice chair post

Mehluli Sibanda Senior Sports Reporter
HARARE-based businessman Modern Sikhuthele Ngwenya is eager to bring about transformation at Highlanders if he is elected as the club’s vice-chairman early next month.
Ngwenya, the managing director of Harare-based company Virmod Electric Private Limited has hit the ground campaigning for the second most powerful post within the Bosso executive. Ironically, the post is at the moment held by Mgcini Mpofu, who is also domiciled in the capital city and is seeking re-election.

Ngwenya’s 10-point manifesto includes, among other things, assisting the club in strengthening supporters chapters, mobilising financial support for Highlanders especially in Harare, help the youth development programmes at the club, play a part in fortifying the secretariat and adding value by availing himself whenever required and back the revival of women’s football at the 90-year-old institution.

Ngwenya, who is also the Highlanders Harare supporters chapter chairman, vows that he will ensure a rapid embrace of technology to improve efficiency and effectiveness of communication for speedy decision making which will make redundant various unofficial chat forums that spread malice and lies about the club.

The 43-year-old astute businessman and entrepreneur says he has access to captains of industry especially in Harare, and will harness those to create strategic relationships in an effort to convince them to either sponsor or make donations to the Highlanders cause.

Ngwenya is convinced that because he is young, vibrant, a self starter, successful and innovative he will become Peter Dube’s deputy come early next month. Ngwenya states that he had hosted Highlanders in Harare on numerous occasions using his personal funds.

Last year, Ngwenya assisted Highlanders buy left back Julius Daudi out of his contract with a Namibian club FNB XI which enabled the player to receive his reverse international clearance certificate. This was after then Bosso coach Bongani Mafu was impressed by the player who, however, made cameo roles in the team the whole of last season.

A constant feature at all the Highlanders matches both home and away, Ngwenya describes himself as a man with capacity, resources and time, to serve Bosso. Ngwenya, a Bosso life member and Mpofu have come out open declaring interest in the vice-chairmanship post whose election is a week after the Highlanders annual general meeting.

Also up for grabs on the same day is the post of treasurer which is held by Donald Ndebele. Incumbent vice-chairman Mpofu has after a long thought process decided to seek another three-year term while Kenneth Mhlophe, the owner of Nokel Security has also confirmed he is gunning for the position. The 59-year-old retired colonel believes that he is ripe and ready to occupy a post at Highlanders.

Mpofu, who had initially decided not to go for a second and final term in the same post due to business commitments, has opted to defend his position. An information and technology specialist who also has interests in mining, Mpofu has been convinced by fellow executive members to seek an extension of his stay within the Highlanders decision making process.

“It would be unwise to leave certain projects that have not yet been completed. I am already in the position, there is no need for me to campaign, a man is marketed by his works, my colleagues know how I work, they know what I did in the executive,’’ said Mpofu.

There is talk that the position of Highlanders vice-chairman should be held by someone based in Bulawayo which if sold to the electorate counts against Ngwenya and Mpofu while placing Mhlophe in an advantageous position.

Ndebele, roped in as treasurer last year when Jerry Sibanda stepped down to assume the post of Bulawayo City chairman has not come out in the open stating if he would like to continue in that role, this time around with the blessing of the members. Ndebele had lost to Emmett Ndlovu in the contest for the position of Highlanders secretary-general at the start of 2015 and later co-opted when Sibanda relinquished the post. Nominations for the two posts to be contested close on Saturday and that is when it will become clear who is going for which role within the 90-year-old club’s executive.