adminHighlanders have three major assets, the club house, club office and Hotel California in Luveve.
Mahlangu said he did not want to promise the electorate things he could not do.
“As I speak we have no grounds that we can call our own yet there are three grounds at the club house lying idle, a borehole and floodlights that are not working.
“If voted into office I will make sure that we bring life to those facilities so that we cut on costs for hiring training grounds. It will also be a source of income for Highlanders as we could also hire out the facilities to other clubs such as those teams in the social league,” said Mahlangu, a city businessman.
In the past Mahlangu tried to work on the grounds as well as rehabilitate the borehole.
He said he was inspired to run for office at the country’s oldest club after realising that over the past, different chairmen had come up with brilliant ideas on how to turn around the fortunes of Highlanders but had not received the necessary support from some of the executive members.
“Having worked in various sub committees under different Highlanders executive chairmen, I believe I have acquired enough knowledge and experience that can propel this club to greater heights. With my business background, I have interacted with a number of corporate organisations that have in the past come on board and sponsored the club, especially juniors,” said Mahlangu, who runs TPA Builders Merchants.
In the past, his company has sponsored Highlanders’ Man of the Match and Player of the Month, especially at a time when the club had no sound corporate sponsorship.
“As an ordinary member I have also brought in players to the club and stayed with them at my own expense. I have even taken the legendary juniors coach Ali Baba Dube to rural areas where I will be sponsoring soccer tournaments so that he could identify talented players. I have been paying school fees for some of the identifed junior players,” said Mahlangu.
One of the players is on a five-year contract with the Highlanders first team.
Mahlangu said those members that know his history and relationship with Highlanders cannot doubt his capabilities to deliver once voted into office.
“I will want to take this opportunity to thank the incumbent vice chairman, Sikhanyiso Moyo, whom I believe has done well but I believe I can do even much better. There is really nothing bad which he did because the team did well last season, the club house is operational but it’s time for new brains and ideas,” he said. Born in Silobela in the Midlands province 40 years ago, Mahlangu said his competitors should not lose sleep over an outcry from certain quarters that the number of candidates for the vice chairman is just too big.
“The number actually shows the gigantic nature of this club and how transparent it is run. I also want to wish everyone luck during the campaign period and the actual elections.
“We are one people but with different opinions and strengths but we are all brought together by Highlanders, win or lose, we shall all remain members of this great institution, asingakulahlini khonalokhu,” said Mahlangu.
He will contest against the incumbent, Moyo, Leeroy Maplanka, Nkosinathi Ncube, club marshal Frank Ncube, former committee member and marshal Wisdom Mabhena and Harare Supporters Association chairman Mgcini Mpofu.
Two candidates, Charles Nondo and interim treasurer and former Highlanders player, Jerry Sibanda will contest for the treasurer’s post during the 3 February elections set for the club house.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter