Maphepha offers Mhlophe wisdom
FORMER Highlanders chairman Ernest “Maphepha” Sibanda has advised Kenneth Mhlophe to avoid putting all his eggs in one basket in his bid to land the chairmanship position.
Bosso members will in early February next year vote for a new club chairman, secretary general and committee member.
Mhlophe declared his intention to run for office and has since launched his campaign via social media although the club is yet to officially announce the holding of elections as required by the constitution.
The businessman’s social media campaign is entitled “For they have called, I heed. Ready to serve,” and is designed to engage Highlanders members and supporters of all ages.
Commenting on one of Mhlophe’s Facebook posts yesterday, Sibanda, who has declared his support for Mhlophe’s candidacy, said it might be too early for him to start revealing his plans for the team.
“It’s good Baba Mhlophe, your vision is wonderful, but try to reserve some of your ammunition, you will need it, we are all behind you. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Good luck,” wrote Sibanda.
Mhlophe’s campaign also has a footprint on Instagram and Twitter where it’s trending under two hash tags: #AsilwiSiyasebenza and #Mhlophe4BossoChair.
His campaign is designed to drive engagement by stimulating open discussions between him and the electorate.
After a disappointing season in which Highlanders finished sixth, Bosso supporters and members are expecting the elections to usher in new leaders that will bring back the glory days.
In accordance with its constitution, the club will constitute a Nomination Court consisting of three members of the board of directors and three members of the board of trustees, one of who will assume the role of secretary and returning officer.
Meanwhile, Highlanders have said there was nothing amiss about a board member having lunch with Mhlophe since the nomination court had not yet been named.
On Saturday, board member Luke Mnkandla, who sits in the nomination court, had lunch with Mhlophe at a city hotel with treasurer Donald Ndebele and other club members believed to be part of his campaign team.
“We have not appointed the nomination court and the said gentleman might not be part of that committee, so I don’t think there was anything untoward there. I am sure if something was out of the ordinary, he would not have attended,” said club president Jimmy Ncube.
However, another board member said it was unethical and unprocedural for Mnkandla to be seen “in bed” with a candidate, who has already publicly declared his intention to run for office.
“It’s these small things that create unnecessary tension and division within the team. As board members, we must not be seen to be aligned to any candidate because what happens if the candidate loses? How will the winner feel working with us? However, any Bosso member is free to have lunch with any person he likes, but Mhlophe has already declared that he wants to run for office so such unions raise a lot of eyebrows among members and it’s really unnecessary. He must appreciate that he is no longer a normal Highlanders member, but all eyes are now on him,” said the board member who requested anonymity. -— @skhumoyo2000