IN A DRAMATIC TWIST… PRINCESS LUNGILE TAKES OVER BIRDS

MBABANE –  Chief Mvimbi Matse has officially declared Princess Lungile as the proprietor of Mbabane Swallows, marking a significant shift in the leadership of the esteemed football club.

The announcement was made during a press conference at Madlenya House, attended by prominent figures including Elders Chairman Bhekithemba Ginindza, Secretary Enock Nkosi. Others in attendance were Ananias Khumalo, Jabulani Shabangu, Sipho Nkosi, Alfred Makhunga, Musa Ngcobo, Bongani Dlamini, Luke Malinga and Mfanumpela Gwebu.
Chief Matse, in a resolute tone, conveyed; “Swallows has no boss. We are here to declare that Princess Lungile is the new owner of Mbabane Swallows. We are taking this step because Swallows is registered as a company, and as such, the leadership transition must be formally acknowledged. The elders will officially announce today (yesterday) that she assumes the mantle from the late Victor Gamedze.”

He further explained; “The untimely passing of Gamedze caught us off guard, and we were unable to address the leadership issue at that time. This caused confusion among everyone, including the players, as the rightful leadership was unclear. We are rectifying this, and soon, all will be resolved to ensure the team’s optimal performance. We possess documented evidence that unequivocally identifies the rightful owner of Swallows.”

Expressing her gratitude, Princess Lungile acknowledged the elders of Swallows and emphasised the significance of their presence at the meeting. She stated; “Those who appointed me did not just appoint Lungile; they appointed the wife of the late Victor Gamedze, who steered Swallows to remarkable success and stability, dominating in Africa.” She articulated her aspirations, saying; “Under my leadership, I aim to guide the team back to its former glory and foster unity. The division that currently plagues us stems from baseless challenges to Swallows’ status as a company. It is imperative to address these issues and restore the team’s integrity, unity and stability.”

Princess Lungile underscored the importance of governance, asserting; “The priority at Swallows is governance. The team’s reputation has been tarnished, and those I appoint will work towards reinstating its former standing. Our aim is to establish robust governance within the club.” She revealed plans to establish a task team, which will oversee the appointment of a chief executive offcier, board members and the restructuring of Swallows. Emphasising the enduring nature of the task team, she affirmed; “The seven man-task team will remain a constant presence at Swallows, ensuring the team’s effective management.”

Bhekithemba Ginindza, in response to enquiries about upcoming team activities such as the one-day tournament in Witbank, South Africa, and the imminent CAF Champions League, expounded, “We are currently in a transitional period, and under the guidance of Princess Lungile, a strategic course of action will be charted. While acknowledging the commendable vision of the current team leadership, it is imperative for us to deliberate on these matters and devise enduring solutions.” When questioned about her association with Swallows governor Sandile ‘Beyond 2000’ Zwane, Princess Lungile asserted; “Sandile stands on the same pedestal as all other revered Swallows legends, who have dedicated themselves to the club. There is no exceptional distinction to be made, and thus, my relationship with him mirrors that of any other Swallows legend.”

Regarding the financial support for Swallows’ CAF Champions League journey, Princess Lungile emphasised; “At present, our primary focus is on governance. We must exercise prudence and refrain from hastily addressing financial challenges. The seven-man task team will systematically address all financial hurdles faced by the team, ensuring its seamless operation and stability.” Ginindza, the Elders Chairman, highlighted the presence and significance of the elders at Swallows. He clarified, “We have elders and a council of elders at Swallows. Their presence at this meeting is greatly appreciated. We are not in opposition to the Eswatini Football Association (EFA) or FIFA; rather, we are in the process of aligning our local structures with the relevant regulations.”

This past month, this publication had reported about confusion over Swallows ownership after another emergency meeting at the same venue. During that meeting, the princess had made it clear that she assumed leadership of the team after Gamedze’s death back in 2018, but felt the need to clear the air, following reports suggesting that Governor Zwane was running the team. This publication had earlier reported that Gamedze registered the team as his company, before his senseless killing. Zwane’s phone was unreachable for the better part of yesterday when sought for comment. He was later quoted on national radio distancing himself from the changes, saying the people at the meeting were not part of Swallows’ structures. “All the people that were present are not in the structure. We’ll make a statement,” he said.

Meanwhile, later on the night, in a statement signed by Welile Mabuza and addressed to the Premier League of Eswatini (PLE), Swallows shared that they did not recognise the meeting and the changes made. ‘‘The leadership of the club as contained in the legal ownership form that has been filed with PLE remains unchanged,’’ reads the letter  where Mabuza signed as chairman. In the past season, Swallows had registered former elders Chairman Absalom Ngwenya, as their chairman.

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