New deal okays Swazi tournament
ANC CALMS SITUATION
SWAZILAND Solidarity Network (SSN) did not lose its fight to prevent Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates from competing in the inaugural King’s Super Cup this weekend.
This despite the fact that the two Premier Soccer League giants will take part in Saturday ’ s fourteam showpiece at the reequipped Somhlolo Stadium in Lobamba.
The SSN and other human rights lobbyists had threatened to launch a revolution should Bucs and Amakhosi play in the tournament.
Swaziland will be represented by that country’s giants Mbabane Swallows and Royal Leopards, who knocked Bidvest Wits out of the CAF Confederation Cup.
The SSN has raised concerns to Kaizer Motaung and Irvin Khoza that the Swaziland government would use the tournament for “political posturing ”.
But, the intervention of the ANC last week seemed to have calmed the situation and paved the way for Chiefs and Pirates to play in the much-criticised event, staged for King Mswati III.
SSN spokesman Lucky Lukhele confirmed yesterday that ANC secre- tary-general Gwede Mantashe met Pirates’ boss Khoza in a bid to find a solution.
“The ANC endorsed our programme and everything was cordial. No one was a loser here. The only loser was King Mswati because we agreed that this tournament will not be staged in the future,” Lukhele said.
In its statement yesterday, the SSN said the chairmen agreed to meet with them after they have sought advice and clarity from the political leadership in South Africa.
Khoza and Motaung did not seek advice and clarity from Sport Minister Fikile Mbalula.
“The SACP and Cosatu were in the picture when we engaged Chiefs and Pirates, ” Lukhele said.
The SSN will have a follow-up meeting with the club bosses after the tournament.
“The club chairmen stated that whereas the clubs operate in an environment affected by politics, they cannot use the game to pursue political agendas.
“However, the two teams support democracy and respect human dignity, ” read the statement yesterday.
“The club chairmen explained to the SSN that the tournament was organised as an initiative of the clubs for the benefit of soccer development in the region.”
The human rights lobbyists are fighting against King Mswati III for violating human rights and ruling the country with an iron fist.
“The event is for the benefit of
soccer development