Online Reporter
Lovemore Dube, [email protected]
Former Highlanders Football Club executive committee member Wisdom Mabhena has paid tribute to the late club chairman, Retired Colonel Kenneth Mhlophe, describing him as a generous and dependable leader who was always willing to support the club, particularly its junior development structures.
Speaking ahead of Mhlophe’s burial, Mabhena said the late Bosso chairman never hesitated to assist whenever the club needed resources.
“I have known Mhlophe as a life member of the club. He was so helpful during the time I was a Highlanders committee member, where I was responsible for looking after the first team and the juniors,” said Mabhena.
“He was very helpful to the juniors. I would just call him whenever the juniors needed certain things. I remember one time when Mabaleka (junior coach Melusi Sibanda) identified one of the boys whose family was struggling, so we bought some groceries. I went with Mhlophe and Shepherd Melusi, our juniors coach.”
Mabhena also recalled Mhlophe’s long journey into Highlanders leadership, saying he had supported his unsuccessful bid for the vice-chairmanship before eventually being elected chairman.
“Unfortunately, he didn’t make it then, and in the following election he contested for the chairmanship. We campaigned and he made it.
“I worked with him while I was still a committee member,” he said.
Mhlophe died last Thursday in a tragic road traffic accident at Lochard along the Bulawayo-Gweru Road while returning from Highlanders’ Castle Lager Premier Soccer League away match against ZPC Kariba.
He was travelling with vice-chairman Sifiso Siziba, executive committee member responsible for finance Nkani Khoza and club member Mbalenhle Sibanda, who also died in the crash.
Siziba and Khoza were buried at Lady Stanley Cemetery on Monday, while Mhlophe will be laid to rest with military honours on Tuesday in recognition of his service as a retired colonel. Sibanda will be buried in Filabusi.
