Downs logo was paid for ex-boss

MAMELODI Sundowns’ first owner has rejected claims that the original designer of the team’s badge was not paid for his services.

Dr Motsiri Itsweng, 71, and his colleague Dr Bonny Sebotsane bought the then struggling second division team in 1979 when it was still without a logo and slogan and helped it to get promoted to the lucrative National Professional Soccer League in 1982.

Itsweng disputed allegations by late artist and former teacher Alexander Kenilworth Selepe ’ s family that the team never paid for their father ’ s services.

Selepe ’ s son Juma and his uncle Dan Lebone told Sowetan the current team managers have been snubbing them for the past 15 years and were trying to block them from pursuing monies and recognition that they felt Selepe was owed.

They demanded that Selepe ’ s photos be included in the team ’ s wall of fame.

Selepe, a Mamelodi High School teacher, died in 1986.

He taught Itsweng and Sebotsane at school.

Sundowns spokesman Thulani Thuswa said the club knew nothing about Selepe or his relatives.

Yesterday, Itsweng questioned the family ’ s motives.

“When we bought the club it did not have a logo or a slogan and we wanted to have our own identity. Sebotsane came up with the slogan “The Sky Is The Limit ” and we liked it.

“We then approached Selepe to design a logo. He was a wellknown artist and we had known him as our former teacher. He didn ’ t have a problem helping us and we paid him about R500. There was no written contract.

“He was somebody we knew and he was just doing us a favour. We paid him for his time,” Itsweng said.

Selepe drew the logo of a hand and an index finger pointing upwards.

For many years Itsweng and his partners ran the club from their pockets with a monthly bill of R30 000 until flamboyant late businessman Zola Mahobe came along.

“We used that logo for many years. When Mahobe bought an 80% stake in 1986 that badge was there. He must have tweaked it along the years. I ’ m not sure why the logo is an issue now.

“Why did the family wait for so long to bring it up only now? Perhaps they have their own reasons,” said Itsweng.

Lebone said he was not aware of any payments made to Selepe.

“We will meet as a family and plan the way forward,” said Lebone.

When Mahobe was bust for fraud, Itsweng and his partners Sebotsane, Fish Kekana and Peter Moatshe lost the club to Standard Bank liquidators in 1988.

“The bank offered to buy the team for R25 000 but we refused because it was no longer making money.

“It had a monthly bill of R200 000 which we couldn ’ t afford, ” Itsweng said.