admin
Ngqwele Dube Sports Correspondent
JOSTLING for positions at Highlanders FC elections set for next month has begun and several members have already thrown their names in the hat for the post of executive vice-chairmanship. The club placed notice in the Friday edition of Chronicle announcing the date of the AGM set for 31 January where the positions of executive vice-chairman and executive treasurer will officially become vacant with the elections to be held a week later.
The vice-chairman’s portfolio appears to be attracting more interest with the incumbent Mgcini Mpofu, who is based in the capital, Harare Supporters’ Chapter chairman Modern Ngwenya, Nokel Security director Retired Colonel Mhlophe, and Vusumuzi Dube, the son to long time Highlanders benefactor, Retired Colonel Tshinga Dube, linked to the position.
Donald Ndebele, who replaced Jerry Sibanda, is the only candidate interested in the treasurer’s position. Ngwenya is said to be ready to take over from Mpofu whom he replaced as the supporters leader in Harare.
The Virmod Electronics director admitted he was approached by several Highlanders members to consider taking part in the elections but he is still making consultations before coming to a final decision.
“I love Highlanders and would take up any role that I am assigned. I was approached to contest for the position of vice-chairman by some members but I think it would only be prudent for me to make wider consultations before coming up with a firm decision,” said Ngwenya, who has reportedly been at the forefront of assisting the team during its travels to Harare.
Dube, however, said he was not interested in any position within the Highlanders executive but might consider it if other members feel he is the right candidate for the position.
“I am not really interested in being a member of the executive, maybe people feel I would best serve the club in that position and that is why my name has come up but I have never expressed such interest. I think the nature of leadership is that it comes from the people and if they feel I have the right qualities I might consider it but football leadership is not something that has been in my plans,” he said.
Dube said he has always been a backbencher and has preferred working with his father behind the scenes to assist Bosso rather than helping to run the club from the frontline.
Former Bosso defender Alexander Maseko, who had indicated his intention to take part in this year’s elections, revealed he has shelved the plans but did not rule himself out of becoming part of the executive in the near future.
Mpofu said he was still to decide on whether to run again for another term.
“There is still time to decide on whether to run again and I would have to consult members and also talk to my family about it,” he said.
Mhlophe could only say he was consulting. The treasurer’s post usually attracts few individuals because of the clause in the Highlanders constitution that requires prospective candidates to hold an accounting qualification.
Section 9.3 of the Highlanders constitution reads: “A prospective candidate for the position of treasurer shall have sound bookkeeping and/or accounting knowledge and must hold a recognised post Ordinary level academic certificate in the field of bookkeeping and/or accounting.” Ndebele was co-opted into the executive following the exit of then treasurer Sibanda and is likely to contest for the post.
Online Reporter