I was persuaded to stay: Gumede

HIGHLANDERS’ chief executive Officer Ndumiso Gumede said he agreed for a contract extension after he was persuaded to stay on board until the end of the year.
Despite asking for early retirement last year as head of the Bosso administration Gumede believes he still has energy to see his contract extension through.
“I was persuaded to stay on until the end of the year and I feel I still have a couple of kgs of energy to expand in the execution of my duties.

It would be great to see the restructuring of the club taking shape before I leave and also leaving at a time when we have managed to resuscitate the Highlanders Royals, our ladies team and the netball team make me happy,” said Gumede.

Gumede said the netball team had managed to secure funding for the renovation of the netball courts from former board chairman Dumisani Sandi while his wife Mildred has pledged support to the team throughout the year.

The veteran administrator said he would, however, not be lost to the Bosso cause as there is a lot of expertise needed in fulfilling the Caf Club Licensing Regulations with various people needed to fill in roles in educational, technical and administration areas.

“With my experience as a teacher I could assist here and there. However, not on a permanent basis but as a resource person, I could impart life skills to junior players,” said Gumede.

The 70-year-old former Zifa vice-president was due to retire at the end of this month but the Bosso executive decided to extend his stay until the end of the year, although the matter is said to have been hugely debated as some felt a new face should replace him.

In an earlier interview, chairman, Peter Dube said they decided to extend Gumede’s contract to give the club time to find the right person to fit in the bill that would be prescribed after the completion of the constitution-making process.

He said they also felt Gumede would be the best person to lead the club during the transition as they seek a new modus operandi through aligning its structures with the Fifa Club Licensing Regulations.