REJECTED HAPPY GIRLS, 2 OTHERS CRY FOUL

MBABANE – New and willing talent illegitimately locked out.

The decision was taken before the annual general meeting (AGM), contrary to the regulations of the constitution. The Eswatini Women Football Association’ s (EWFA) executive headed by Chairman, Bonginkosi Mhlanga, breached their own constitution when they declined three applications from teams who wished to join the elite league in the upcoming season.
Applying for membership was in line with Article 12 of the EWFA Statutes, which states that membership to the EWFA was open to all women football clubs and associations performing special tasks and recognised by the EWFA as bodies essential for women football in the region.

However, sub-section two reads; “The executive committee shall request the general assembly either to admit on not admit an applicant.” During the AGM held on Sunday at Sigwaca House, the chairman brought it to the attention of the delegates that three teams that had applied for membership had been rejected by his committee prior to the AGM. The teams were identified as Madelezini Happy Girls and two unspecified teams from Mbabane and Mnyokane.

Limitations

Mhlanga based the executive’s decision to financial limitations, adding that the teams had been addressed during a special meeting held about three weeks ago. “The EWFA has 13 members competing in the league.  EWFA’s lack of funds limits the addition of other teams. We get only E100 000 grant from Eswatini Football Association (EFA) who are the main league sponsors and adding more teams means more expenses. We have engaged them and we plan to give them tips to form a zonal league that will keep them alive and active,” Mhlanga said. The members in attendance flooded the chairman with questions, some of which were vaguely answered.

They demanded to know why the decision was taken before the AGM and why Madelezini Happy Girls, which was adopted by Tambankulu Callies boss Sithembiso ‘Ngudze’ Mamba under the new name Callies Happy Girls, was bouncing back and trying to revive their former name. “The delegates have the power to accept or decline or approve membership applications but seemingly you have already made the decision. Where should these teams go now that you have rejected them even before consulting with the delegates? We have never heard of a team changing its name then returning to apply for membership using their old name. What is really happening here?” questioned Young Buffaloes Ladies’ Manager Gerald Dlamini. Another member asked: “Since you blame it on the financial shortages, was there any effort made to request the EFA to increase the sponsorship in order to accommodate the new talent, and what should happen to them now since there is no relegation or promotion in our league?”

Raging

Desperate to calm the raging meeting, Executive member Aaron ‘Katalala’ Mavimbela said reviving Madelezini Happy Girls was as per the request of the Madelezini Community since Callies Happy Girls had relocated to Tambankulu in the Lubombo Region. “It is best to have a strategy to form zonal leagues because this is not a matter that we can vote on. We also have a task to amend the relegation and promotion clause in our constitution and have two levels of competition,” Mavimbela said. Meanwhile, Illovo Ladies’ request to change their name to Big Bend Ladies was approved.

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