WeeklySA_AdminLEGACY: Huge announcement end of February about plans to bring the Birds back to life
By Ali Mphaki
Bewitched, bewildered, and bemused – that about sums up the pent-up feelings of hordes of supporters of the erstwhile Moroka Swallows since its demise two seasons ago.
Yet, hope springs eternal as can be seen by its legions o supporters who still parade their favourite team’s replica T-shirts, hoping against hope that someone, somewhere, would one day bring the team back from the dead.
Not surprising that three such ardent Swallows supporters resplendent in their maroon and white team apparels were.spotted among the 500 or so crowd at the Mamathipha Ist Annual Soccer challenge at GaDikgale grounds some 20 kilometers from Polokwane in Limpopo last weekend.
The 32-teams tournament was organized by the Mamathipha Group under CEO Isaac Ramolotja and attracted luminaries such as Chief Malesela Dikgale and former Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Mike “Nanana”Ntombela, as well as Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs legends, who got some appearance fee.
If for some the three colourful Swallows supporters were a comic sight ( why still wear a replica of a non-existing entity?), it was not so with Ntombela. Something stirred inside the former Wits and Sundowns player. Speaking to Weekly Mirror on the sidelines, Ntombela vouched: “ I committed myself that come the new season, June 2026, Swallows will be back in football playing.”
Pressed for more details Ntombela said though he was not having a mandate to speak to the media about behind-the-scenes regards attempts to resuscitate brand Swallows, can however confirm he is part of a group of individuals and business people who are spearheading the move.
It’s not clear how brand Swallows will be brought back to life, especially since the club’s status were sold to Marumo Gallants in mid 2024, effectively ending the historc club’s somewhat tumultous existence in the PSL.
The club had failed to meet player salary obligations, leading to a boycott of fixtures during December 2023, with management under Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi and businessman David Magashoa blaming it on severe financial distress without admitting to poor management.
Adding further impetus is that one of Swallows’ former stars, Steve Sekano via his Foundation, had during December organized a Swallows legends match against a pick team of legends from various clubs calling themselves Izinja ze Game.
The match featured the likes of Joseph Rapelego, Mark Haskin, Molefi Ntsoelengoe, among others. Sekano is known for his passion in reviving brand Swallows, and with him teaming up with Ntombela, the project seem sett to move from promise to purpose.
An author of the book “After the final whistle” about the life of football players after their playing days, Ntombela is still active in the game and passionte about development as president of amateur outfit Senaone Ginners in Soweto.
Whatever happens come end of February at the .much- anticipated Swallows AGM, Ntombela has put his neck on the block that in the next Mamathipha soccer challenge, also featured will be Moroka Swallows legends.
If only for their three lonely supporters on the stands.
