Taekwondo’s ‘Golden 5’ for E40k
M– Are officials at Mbabane Highlanders feeling the pressure ahead of tomorrow’s supporters’ mass meeting?
Seemingly, some are unsettled and have decided to step down before the meeting which our sister publication, the Times of Eswatini daily sports reported yesterday could see a major shakeup in management.
The team’s Managing Director (MD) Chief Ally Kgomongwe sanctioned the meeting through their National Supporters Committee (NSC) for tomorrow in Ezulwini at CODEC. The meeting comes after the last Sunday’s mayhem which saw the team’s supporters invading the Mavuso Sports Centre pitch, baying for the referee’s (Mbongeni Shongwe) blood.
This is after Shongwe allowed a
Mandla Mandonsela who has since resigned as Mbabane Highlanders PRO.
goal by Manzini Sea Birds’ Sandumuzi Zwane, which the player later admitted he scored via his hand. Highlanders lost 2-1, but what was witnessed after the game may attract over E200 000 in fines for the capital city side.
Amidst all this, the club’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mandla Madonsela posted on his Facebook
account that his journey had ended as a PRO of the team. “I feel it’s high time someone else takes the baton. This big brand isn’t a Madonsela (family) thing so, times like this do come. It’s been such a great pleasure working for this big brand, through bad and good times, but above it all, we all wanted what’s best for Mbabane Highlanders Football Club,” Madonsela said.
Chairman: Accountant: Members:
Supporter
He was also questioned if he had written a formal letter resigning from the position. “I personally feel like there’s no need to write something down, as from the onset it was a gentleman’s agreement to serve as PRO, so even now, I’ll just step down and go back to being a supporter of this darling brand,” he said.
Efforts to get a comment from Kgomongwe proved futile as he could not be reached immediately. He is expected to address the Highlanders masses tomorrow in the meeting. Meanwhile, by 8pm yesterday there was speculation that the team’s Chief Executive Officer Clement Dlamini, had also allegedly left his position but this could not be confirmed immediately.
Hlelo Vilakati celebrating her victory after getting the fifth gold medal for Team Eswatini during the African Union Sports Council Region V Under-20 Youth Games in Malawi.
Bongani ‘Bhanyaza’ Mdluli Tobias Kamugicha
Girlie Johnson
Angelia Mabuza
Lawrence ‘Lolo’ Mtethwa Willington Motsa
Nomcebo Dlamini and 2 unidentified members
The five heroes, according to the Ministry of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs policy brought about through the Eswatini Sports and Recreation Council (ESRC), rewards outstanding international performance for athletes and they have earned themselves E40 000. Each gold medal is worth E8 000 while silver and bronze are worth E6 000 and E5 000 respectively.
After Nxumalo’s win their Coach Manqoba Motsa was not disappointed throughout as he escorted his artists to the podium for the main prize – gold medals and five of them. Sihlelelwe won his fight after beating an opponent from the host nation, Malawi in the finals of the Under-55kg category, while Aphiwe won her fight in the Under-49 kg division, Sivunwesihle didn’t disappoint either in the Under-55kg category as both ladies won their fights with ease.
The last to fight yesterday around lunch time was 15-yearold Hlelo Vilakati, who was now motivated to the thrill and simply lived up to the challenge as she defeated her opponent from Zambia in the final to earn Eswatini a fifth gold medal.
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Gcinumuzi Nxumalo Sihlelelwe Matsebula Sivunwesihle Dlamini Aphiwe Dlamini
Hlelo Vilakati
Meanwhile, Gcinumuzi became the first liSwati to win gold in this year’s edition of the youth games held in Lilongwe, Malawi. Athletics Eswatini (AE) Public Relations Officer (PRO) Victor ‘Mavikane’ Dlamini, said they were proud of the achievement by the Taekwondo stars.
proud
“We are very proud of the karate athletes as they have made the nation proud. It has been a good start for the country and we hope we will have more athletes winning medals,” he said.
Mavikane further said yesterday was the end of the taekwondo games and encouraged the nation to continue praying for the athletes as they embark on getting more medals.
Today also marks the first day of swimming and Team Eswatini has Hayley Hoy and Danien De Sousa, who will also be looking to replicate the brilliant start done by the taekwondo athletes.