PLE clears the air on CEO’s contract

MBABANE – The Premier League of Eswatini (PLE) Chairperson Mark Carmichael says next leadership will decide the future of their current Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

The PLE chairperson, has stated that the outgoing executive committee will handover to their successors regarding the contract renewal of the organisation’s CEO’s contract, which will expire in August. He noted the matter was blown out of proportion, as there was nothing sinister on aligning the CEO’s contract with the executive’s term of office.

This comes as the current executive’s four-year tenure is set to expire this season, alongside CEO Kenneth Makhanya’s two-year contract that is due to end in August. Makhanya, who has also served as Eswatini Football Association (EFA) CEO, joined the PLE in August 2022.

“Contractual negotiations remain confidential between the parties involved, but what I can say is that his term was aligned with that of the current executive. We can’t enter into contract negotiations when we are even unsure whether he will be serving the same executive, with the same goals and strategies,” said the Denver Sundowns boss.

He added that it would be practical for the new executive, which will likely be elected after the end of the season, to re-engage him under their new terms and mandates. He emphasised that his executive committee subscribes to transparency and independence.

Owners

“What we can do is only offer a recommendation for him because he has served diligently in his role. This includes his efforts towards professionalising local football and ardently advancing our strategic plan. However, all that needs to be discussed by the owners of the PLE at the AGM so that the next executive can engage someone who represents the interests of the clubs,” he further explained.

Carmichael also highlighted that the CEO has stabilised the organisation and ensured its survival against the dire effects of COVID-19. He mentioned that despite having initiated the hiring process for the Brand and Marketing Officer, that vacant post seems likely to be filled by the new executive as well. He noted that these positions were technical and required specific preferences.