MBABANE - It seems there is a lot going on behind the curtain at Manzini Wanderers.
Ahead of the preseason Bible Society Mayoral Cup next Saturday at Mavuso Sports Centre, it has come out that there is brewing tension within the the team over some members of the new management committee (MC). Some individuals feel there are names that do not deserve to be in the MC that was announced by the club Director, Peter Mathaba, in the second week of this month.
The new MC saw the fallen hub giants legend Berger ‘Hotline’ Nxumalo retain his position as the MC Chairman, while Girlie Diana Johnson remains the Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Top Lawyer Bongani ‘Bhanyaza’ Mdluli is the Governor of the team at the Premier League of Eswatini (PLE), while Mduduzi ‘Mr G’ Ginindza is the Public Relations Officer (PRO). He replaced Lucky ‘Majaivane’ Dlamini, who is now only a member while former treasurer Sihle Mamba joined the marketing team.
According to well-placed sources within the club, the hub giants faced a serious crisis than the one observed in the previous season. Among its struggles was fighting relegation and their failure to pay players’ salaries. However, some individuals have pointed a finger at the CEO, Girlie, for destabilising the smooth operations of the MC.
Introduction
“As we speak, there has been no proper introduction of the new MC besides learning of its changes in the media. The MC is facing power struggles which have seen them failing to hold meetings, and to make things worse, they have not even met to plan ahead of the new season,” the source said.
The source further anticipated more disaster in the upcoming season, which he said could even play itself out next Saturday when they take on hub rivals Denver Sundowns in the first semi-final of the Bible Society Mayoral Cup. “The team held the gala dinner and awards ceremony, which nobody knows how much was received and spent for it. The club has money that could help sustain it but certain individuals use it to fulfil their personal wants,” the source alleged.
The CEO also got some backlash for not inviting the ladies and junior teams to the gala. It is alleged that the teams were included in the budget. However, the ladies team later on held its own end of season party on July 8. The source moved on to cite the changes in the treasurer position, claiming it was meant to erase any possible means of unaccountability and instil transparency within the MC. The new treasurer is Sihlangu Mkhwanazi, whose predecessor is Sihle Mamba, who has been moved to the marketing department.
Approve
The source lamented Mathaba being used as a rubber stamp to approve an MC that claimed to be selected by some individuals with overriding powers within it. The insider went on to decry alleged exploitation of individuals who had been there for the team under testing times. Also not spared here was returning official and former team spokesperson Sandile ‘Ntofo’ Dlamini. The latter has rejoined the team but under its marketing wing. His return has not gone down well with some Wanderers supporters and he has affirmed he was well aware of the outcry.
His sin, among others, was leaving them to join the club’s former director Mehluli Nhlengetfwa at now defunct Vovovo FC and later joined Seven Dreams. One supporter even wrote on Facebook, accusing him of being a traitor as he was also blamed for the departure of midfielder Neliswa ‘Tiger’ Dlamini to Mbabane Swallows as well as the mass exodus of their Wanderers Ladies team players soon after returning from the COSAFA Champions League. Reached for comment, ‘Ntofo’ felt he was wrongly castigated.
“I was asked by Mehluli Nhlengetfwa to join Vovovo because he wanted my expertise. Nhlengetfwa used to take care of these girls. They could not stay when their breadwinner had left the club. I do not understand why I am being accused of stealing the ladies team. We have to face reality here, Wanderers need money so we can be able to take care of our players,” he said. Wanderers PRO Mduduzi ‘Mr G’ Ginindza has encouraged the team supporters and officials to remain glued to one another in this rebuilding period.
“The truth is ‘Ntofo’ is a Wanderers person at heart. Yes, he did go and work for other teams but that does not change the fact that his heart is maroon and white. We need his experience in the team,” Ginindza said. The CEO, Girlie Johnson, said she was used to the accusations and all sorts of name calling as she had been with Wanderers through thick and thin in her life. “I have all the evidence of the new MC appointments if anyone thinks it’s my doing. I think people are bitter and picking at me only because I am female,” she said. Girlie also said the team director Mathaba was the one who appointed the MC and every individual received a letter from the director and team elders approving their appointments.