WATCH: Another bull in Bosso boss race

THE race for the Highlanders chairmanship is set to be one of the hottest with Edison Dube, a former bank manager, having thrown his name into the hat.

Already former chairman Kenneth Mhlophe, South Africa-based member and benefactor Nodumo Nyathi, Qhubani Moyo a member with interests in farming and media and sitting chairman Johnfat Sibanda have been linked to the job.

Mhlophe and Nyathi have openly declared interest while Moyo and Sibanda’s campaigns have not been confirmed.

Last night Dube became the third Bosso member to declare that he is available for one of the country’s biggest football management jobs in a race likely to pit five candidates so far. Highlanders is the biggest club by turnstiles measurement in the country and the only one that subjects its membership to an annual general meeting with audited books.

Despite the treasurer’s office being of disrepute over the past year, at least the institution tries to have transparency and accountability as fundamental values to guide the club.

In an interview last night, Dube spoke about two virtues needed at the club for it to move forward those of unity and progress.

“I am a former banker. Born and bred here in Bulawayo. I have always been a Highlanders fan. Now am vying for the post of chairman to unlock all the barriers that have been going on that have seen the club carry a begging bowl for a long time,” said Dube.

Dube said industry and known individuals to be from the region who are both internal and external will be asked to come on board and save the club financially. The executive and board, he said, should provide an environment that should allow engagement of real corporate partners to ensure the club is not relegated, has competent players and that development of the juniors, a strategic arm and investment for the future is prioritised.

“The single most disposable asset we have is the player. So if we invest in youths and sell the players when they are ripe or show promise to blossom abroad. I want this institute to be great, its got to be something to reckon with,” said Dube.

Because Bosso has been fractured for the better part of the last 20 years Dube said: “I want to bring unity, with disunity we cannot get anywhere.”

Things have been so bad at the club that there is ever tension with members bent on protecting their friends or factions’ interests instead of those for the club.

Dube promised to bring unity to the Highlanders family and work on seeing that junior development is prioritised so that the team can realise revenue from the sale of players.

He said he would bring both sports science and good corporate governance on board if elected.

Dube said working with the likes of Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube and Reserve Bank Governor Dr John Mushayavanhu at a young age in the banking sector had widened his horizons in appreciating finance and economics.

“I will be subordinate to the membership and will serve with honour as we seek to unlock the brand value in Bosso,” said Dube who has been a life member since 1985.

Apart from farming, Dube has interests in fitness and wellness in Bulawayo and Gweru and has previously provided Bosso90 with his facility and equipment.

The race won’t be easy for any of the five names that have come up. Each one of them has strengths far different from the other.
Mhlophe, a retired army officer, has investments in education, private security and farming. He is looking forward to completing projects such as the Inyathi mine.

Nyathi’s stock got high when he single handed started and ensured that a legacy debt of over US$800 000 was cleared. The depreciating local currency and legislature came into play and Bosso debts were cleared through his persistent drive.

Moyo, seemingly has the right corporate exposure and has championed private ownership of airwaves with a radio and television stations.

Sibanda, as the sitting incumbent, remains a favourite.

But the big question remains the voters roll and its authenticity with allegations of lack of professionalism in that regard.

There is already talk of some card having been printed clandestinely for unknown members while those carrying receipts have allegedly not received theirs.

Never has the post attracted so many candidates.

The highest number in recent years for the chairman’s post has been three, Mandla Moyo, Peter Dube and Themba Ndlela.