Highlanders light the fuse at 100

Innocent Kurira, Zimpapers Sports Hub

HIGHLANDERS FC will tomorrow turn the spotlight on a landmark journey when they host the public launch of their centennial celebrations at their Fife Street Clubhouse, a moment that formally ignites the countdown to the club’s 100th anniversary in 2026.

The event signals a key step in the build up to a historic year and sets the tone for a long running programme crafted to honour a century of football, culture and community pride.

Earlier this month, Bosso rolled out their centenary vision at a corporate launch attended by stakeholders and partners. That unveiling laid the foundation. The public launch now throws the doors open to supporters and the wider Bulawayo community, offering a first real taste of what lies ahead as one of Zimbabwe’s most recognisable football institutions approaches its centenary.

Organisers expect a lively day that blends entertainment, culture and football heritage, mirroring the deep connection between the club and the city it represents.

People are expected at the Clubhouse at 9AM.
To match the weight of the occasion, Highlanders have assembled a strong entertainment line up featuring FAB G, DJ Mzoe, Msiz’Kay, Ramsey K, Iyasa and Noluntu J. The mix of popular local artistes is meant to spark a festive mood while underlining the club’s intention to mark the centenary in a way that resonates across generations. The build up has also included an awareness roadshow across Bulawayo today, aimed at spreading excitement and rallying the Bosso faithful ahead of tomorrow’s launch. The roadshow takes the Highlanders spirit straight to the people, pulling supporters together and ensuring the city fully connects with the significance of the approaching milestone.

Highlanders chief executive officer Denzil Mnkandla said the centenary celebrations are grounded in unity, resilience and community inclusion.

“We are having the public launch on this day not to overshadow the events of the National Unity Day, but to show the unity and resilience that has seen the club get to this stage. It is not only for Highlanders fans but for the Bulawayo community as a whole. We call on the Bulawayo community to come in their numbers for the public launch tomorrow and also to support us as we go through our programmes to celebrate 100 years next year,” said Mnkandla.

Founded in 1926 as Lions Football Club, Highlanders later became Matabeleland Highlanders before adopting the name Highlanders FC in 1975. Through the decades, Bosso have carved out a pioneering place in Zimbabwean football, winning the first Heroes Trophy, the first Independence Trophy and becoming the first team from southern Zimbabwe to lift a national league title. Yet the club’s story stretches beyond silverware. Highlanders have grown into one of Bulawayo’s strongest cultural institutions, sustained by a support base that spans generations. As the club edges closer to its 100th birthday, the centenary celebrations are expected to move beyond football, shaping into a city wide salute to heritage, pride and a century long passion that continues to inspire.

The celebrations will run under the theme “Beyond Football: Inspiring Generations, celebrating a passion driven century rooted in pride, culture and football.”