Online Reporter
Lovemore Dube and Innocent Kurira
HIGHLANDERS yesterday got a shot in the arm when King’s Bullion unveiled a renewable US$300 000 sponsorship for the year.
This averted a crisis situation.
The deal was unveiled last night in the city at a brief ceremony attended by the club executive, some board members, technical staff, captains and secretariat.
For the club, whose players, secretariat and technical team had not been paid January and some December salaries, the intervention came at the right time as the club was preparing for the trip to Ngezi to face new boys MWOS at Baboab Stadium on Sunday.
Club spokesperson Nozibelo Maphosa confirmed the deal last night.
“Our sponsors are King’s Bullion. They gave us US$300 000. There is a possibility of a renewal at the end of the season,” said Maphosa.
Fradreck Kunaka, the chief executive officer of the company, presented the US$300 000 cheque to his Highlanders counterpart, who is in his first major deal for the club in that position.
Kunaka was accompanied by his company’s chief operating officer Nyasha Hamadziripi.
“The sponsorship is renewable, we will review as we continue to do business and see programmes that help players,” said Kunaka.
The sponsorship could not have come at a better time than this when the whole administrative arm was under fire for throwing an SOS into public space on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Highlanders fans on social media did not take kindly to the club’s move to ask for donations from supporters as the club seeks to find solutions to its financial difficulties.
Sakunda Holdings and BetterBrands have been the club’s sponsors in recent years. Many believe without the two companies, the club would have folded as the team’s owners — the supporters — have failed to rescue the club financially over the years yet they will be the first ones to criticise when the likes of Wicknell Chivhayo come on board to save situations.
In the Tuesday announcement, the club advertised: “IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT, BALANDELI BE BOSSO! We have an exciting update for you! You can now support your beloved Highlanders FC from ANYWHERE in the world! Click the link (https://highlandersfc.co.zw/donations/) to donate and be part of our journey to greatness!
“Use your preferred payment method: Visa, Mastercard, ZimSwitch, Ecocash, OneMoney. Pay in USD or ZWL and help drive our club’s growth! Remember, ubuhle beBosso ngabalandeli bayo! Let’s unite to make our club UNSTOPPABLE.”
Here are some of the responses to the post from Bosso fans:
Khulekani Mazibuko Hlambelo: Yes, we understand donations, but why not leverage the vast network of Highlanders supporters around the globe by making membership accessible online? You could use this online donation platform as a membership registration vehicle. I’m willing to pay for my membership, but I’m reluctant to return to the club offices. We’re willing to donate to our beloved club, but we can’t sustain such a huge institution through donations alone. Have you looked at how Orlando Pirates or other top clubs do it?
Norbert Muleya: A big club like Highlanders should not be asking for donations all the time. Provide a digital membership platform for Bosso fans to join from anywhere in the world. That’s a low-hanging fruit.
Brown Fush: You’ve now normalised mediocrity. Bosso is a big brand and could make millions of dollars if competent people were in charge.
Xoilsani Moyo: I raise my hands in surrender. Other teams are coming up with packages to entice membership, while we’re sending out a begging bowl. Surely, we can do better than this.
Patrick Ndlovu: You want our donations, but you say those not residing in Zimbabwe are not eligible to be elected. You want our donations, but you hide debts from the AGM. You want our donations, but the accounting for funds has been terrible.
Pro Ndebele: So Bosso is now a charity case? We want to register and pay online for membership, but instead, you’re asking for donations. The Bosso “Xhegu” supporters should leave the team and focus on farming back home.
Peter Tanyanyiwa