Football stakeholders mourn with ‘Birds’
EZULWINI – The local football fraternity gave massive support to bereaved Mbabane Swallows Club President and All Nations Church in Zion Archbishop Bheki Lukhele.
Lukhele lost his wife Mayibongwe Mthimkhulu, also a renowned Gospel music artist, who was laid to rest yesterday morning at Mahlanya in Don Don.
Among the mourners who attended the memorial service held at All Nations Church in Ezulwini on Friday, was fans, players and football administrators of the various clubs.
Also notable was that Swallows also came out in their numbers ranging from the elders, management committee (MC), supporters committee, players and fans to console their boss.
Meanwhile, Royal Leopard’s Public Relations Officer (PRO)
Frank Hurube represented his elite teams’colleagues.
“It is our culture as emaSwati that when one is bereaved, we mourn with them. As PROs, we also felt obliged to come out and support both the Lukhele and Mthimkhulu families as well as our colleague.
“Lukhele runs one of the football clubs we play with and we hope our presence will console him. His team also needed our support during this sad time and moment for their president,” said Hurube.
THANKED
Meanwhile, Swallows General Manager (GM) Sandile ‘Beyond 2 000’ Zwane was grateful for the support they got during the dark period. He thanked everybody for the support.
“We’d like to thank everybody; not only the football people who gave support to our president but everyone. Their support showed that they don’t love him only for football and we believe this will go a long way comforting him. We also hope that this will not end with us but anybody who will be affected in a similar way in the future will get the same support.
“May both families and the president be comforted by the support. We’re also looking forward to getting results that will make him heal, from Sunday’s (today’s) game,” Zwane said.
Swallows will seek revenge against Nsingizini Hotspurs at King Sobhuza II Memorial Stadium at 3:15pm today.