S’PHAKEME FUTSI!

My dearest readers ...

S’phakeme Futsi! This is the chic new slogan for the ‘Yam’ Nawe EswatiniTelecom Charity Cup 2019 launched in grand style after a torturous five-hour delay last Thursday at Royal Swazi Convention Centre. It was worth the wait, might I add. But let me jog your memory because this tournament is closest to my heart for many reasons. I was a cub reporter when legendary former Sihlangu and Manzini Wanderers captain, Jerry ‘Mbazo’ Gamedze, lifted the trophy aloft  on July 28, 2002 at Somhlolo National Stadium after my family club, ‘Weslians’ had beaten Royal Leopard 5-3 on penalties.

But it was the moving speech by former Eswatini Posts and Telecommunications Corporation (EPTC) Managing Director, Nathi Dlamini, quoting the touching words of philosopher Woodrow Wilson, during the launch of the 2009 edition, which hit a raw nerve to this grandson of Mlonyeni of what this tournament is all about. The bespectacled ‘Champion’, Nathi Dlamini, wearing the kind of disarming smile that would have melted the coldest of hearts, took a sip from a glass of water, and posed for some seconds. I think the wind outside the prestigious Royal Villas stopped to blow. His words touched our conscience.

“We are not here merely to make a living and create a value for our shareholders. We are here to enrich the world and make it a finer place in which to live. We will impoverish ourselves if we fail to do so.” The eloquent former MD ended his speech with the quotable quote. It was a salient moment. If you could not be touched by his words, then surely you were a devil’s disciple. If his words could not make your blood boil, then clearly you were an Eskimo, I dare say.

Since the memorable Sunday of July 28, 2002 when Jerry ‘Mbazo’ Gamedze climbed up the Somhlolo National Stadium’s 13 steps to lift the coveted trophy inside the Royal Box, after a 5-3 penalty win over Royal Leopard right to last year, August 5, 2018 when Mbabane Swallows most decorated skipper Tony ‘TT’ Tsabedze received the trophy from His Majesty King Mswati III after the 2-1 win over bitter rivals Mbabane Highlanders following a late extra-time goal from brace hero Sandile Hlatshwako, the EswatiniTelecom Charity Cup has been a flagship of Eswatini football. It is to Eswatini football what salt is to food: what Oxygen is to an Astronaut and what butter is to bread. Put in simple terms, this is a tournament Eswatini football cannot do without! If it were a fashion line, the Charity Cup would be a catwalk!

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