adminTwo candidates, Charles Nondo and incumbent Jerry Sibanda, are vying for the treasurer’s post while the vice-chairman’s has attracted seven aspirants.
Those in the running for the vice-chairman’s position are Nkosinathi Ncube, Joel Mahlangu, Mgcini Mpofu, incumbent Sikhanyiso Moyo, Leroy Maplanka, Wisdom Mabhena and Frank Moyo.
However, as much as both seats are important, it is the treasurer’s position that members are worried about as they seek to have someone who will diligently handle the financial affairs of the club.
Highlanders is saddled with a $500 000 debt and they need innovative minds that will come up with ideas on how to clear the debt.
In an interview yesterday, aspiring treasurer Charles Nondo who has a vast experience in the accounting industry, said he was ready to serve the club and was confident that if members work in harmony, the club would survive.
“I have been doing accounting for almost 20 years and worked for different companies. I can say all my working life I have been a financial man. I believe that since I have been there in the corporate world and have a talent to negotiate, my being at Highlanders will be to coordinate ideas on how we can raise money. As it is I have a contact who can pour in money. Surely something may come up because the main thrust is to clear the debt.
“Abadala like Ndumiso Gumede did a sterling job acquiring assets for the club and if creditors were to descend on Bosso today and take the property imagine what will happen to the club? We have to do something about that and reduce the debt. Highlanders is blessed with talented members whose expertise can help the club a lot,” he said.
Nondo who has worked for Monarch, PG Durawood, ex-Bosso sponsors Induna Foods, AMC and Econet among other companies, said he was not new to Highlanders.
“Coming to Highlanders, at some stage I did their books twice preparing for audit when Ndebele (Kennedy) was the chairman. As a family we have also been involved at the club and during the late Dick Chama’s era we provided a vehicle which used to transport him to and from the hotel to White City for training every day. What I’m trying to point out is that I’m not new to Highlanders and I have assisted a number of times but being an accounts person, I did so behind the scenes,” Nondo said. He said he would use his contacts in the corporate world to harness resources for the club.
Nondo also promised to uphold professionalism.
“I know something will come up and I want to be part of the team that will leave a legacy for future generations. What is required is for everyone at Highlanders to take it upon themselves to contribute for the good of the club.
“There is an Indian businessman who wants to sponsor our juniors who have not gone outside the country for a long time. The guy and his associates know that if they sponsor the juniors, their money will be looked after if I’m there.
“Ukuswela ngumkhuhlane and for that reason, I don’t want to be associated with poverty. It is my gift to try and harness resources and I want to serve the club in a transparent and professional manner in my endeavour to clear the debt. I am a team player and I believe I can play a part in reducing and eradicating debt but how we are going to do it? It will come from the Highlanders members,” he said.
The accountant who was almost disqualified from the race when his manager forgot his academic certificates said his wife was at first against the idea of him standing for the treasurer’s position but later changed her mind.
“To be frank, colleagues and friends asked me to stand for the treasurer’s position. I spoke to my wife who was against the calls but she later softened as she thought maybe God had a purpose for me to be part of the Highlanders leadership and help rescue the state of affairs at the institution.
“The reason why she was against me standing for the treasurer’s post is what she was reading in the newspapers about the former treasurer (Odiel Nkomo) who was said to have misappropriated funds and whether he did it or not his image was tarnished and my wife feared that might happen to me,” Nondo said.
Online Reporter