WeeklySA_AdminSledgehammer and the stiletto: A bitter pill to swallow for die-hard Dube Birds supporters after psl approves sale to Marumo Gallants
By Ali Mphaki
It was the late David “Pine” Chabeli who in his cool wisdom once opined: “Football ha se dikatara”. Loosely translated from Sesotho this could mean ‘football is more than showbiz’.
“Cabora”, as Chabeli was fondly referred to by those close to him, was at loggerheads with his co-Swallows directors at the time – musician Sello ‘Chicco’ Twala and former soccer player Mike ‘Sporo’ Mangena – when he made his not-so-famous quotable quote.
Legend has it that the muso of hit “I Need Some Money” ditty fame was allegedly selling tickets to Swallows games from the boot of his car, placing him in a completely offside position with Chabeli when the Cabora uttered those immortal words.
Fast forward to 2024 it is purely a matter of conjecture what Chabeli could be telling both Hendrick Lesufi, also Gauteng Premier, and his businessman co-director David Mogashoa now that Moroka Swallows FC has its status bought by Marumo Gallants. Logic dictates Cabora’s message would be the same, albeit with a twist.
“Football is not politics or razzmatazz.” As things stand, spare a thought for the thousands of “bewildered., bewitched and bemused” Swallows die-hard fans who feel “cheated” at what portends to be the final demise of their 70-year-old club.
Since news broke out of the sale of the status of their club two weeks ago, it is an understatement to say the legions of Swallows fans have been struggling to come to terms with the new reality.
The mood is perhaps best summed by staunch and loyal supporter Montoedi “Jendhis” Ntshingila; “It feels like a loss of a spouse. Devastating to say the least.”
Jendhis like all other aggrieved supporters is also caught in the “paralysis of analysis” not knowing what to do with his wide range of Swallows paraphernalia or whether he will throw his weight behind Marumo Gallants or switch allegiances as he faces unchartered skies.
A BRIEF HISTORY
The club was founded in the 1940s by a trio of soccer lovers, Ishmael Lesolang, Strike Makgatho and Johnny Kubheka, who should be turning in their graves. They originally named the side Congregated Rovers after the firm in which most of the players and officials worked, later changing it to Moroka Rovers. But then, on 10 October 1947, the trio decided to change the name again to Moroka Swallows (PS), basing themselves in the township formally known as Masakeng .
The name has lasted for the best part of 55 years, a period which has seen consistent success both on the field and off it. The name ‘Moroka’ means ‘rain maker’ in Setswana and the township was probably named after Chief Moroka of Barolong boo-Seleka who became the president of the ANC in1940s.
It is hardly surprising therefore that the club was renamed the ‘rain bird’. The Swallows website tells us 1950s and 1960s were a successful time for the club, culminating in their greatest ever achievement, winning the South African League title in 1965. Off the field, the club was becoming a business and in 1971 they became the first ever football team to register as a public company. That same year they were also the first to receive an official sponsorship when Teljoy began their association with the club. The decade between 1982 and 1992 was a successful one for the team, culminating in four pieces of silverware. In 2007, the club celebrated its 60th anniversary. Two years later Swallows won the Nedbank Cup, the club’s first piece of silverware for five years. The club narrowly avoided relegation in the 2013–14 season, finishing thirteenth.
The 2014–15 season saw them relegated for the first time in their history, finishing 15th, and failing to retain their position after being defeated in the promotion-relegation playoffs. Following their first relegation from the top level, the club finished bottom of the log in the National First Division and were relegated again to the SAFA Second Division.
STATUS
Prior to the start of the 2018–19 season, Swallows purchased the franchise of National First Division team Maccabi for R8 million and competed in the 2019–20 National First Division.
At the end 2019–20 National First Division season, the club gained promotion to the Premier Soccer League following a 3–0 win against third-placed Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila F.C. and competed in the 2020–21 South African Premier Division. Some, perhaps with the benefit of hindsight, argue that it was an erroneous decision to buy the status of Maccabi Warriors when Swallows could have “endured” the ignominy of relegation and “build up from the ground”.
One such exponent who was vehemently against the buying of status was the late long-time Swallows director Godfrey Gxowa, his pleas falling on deaf ears.
“I told you so,” would be his grave comment.
ACQUISITION
Lesufi’s radio interview prattle recently explaining what led to the sale of the club does nothing to obviate the excruciating pain suffered by the die-hard former Moroka Swallows FC fans.
“I’m sad and disappointed that we are where we are, but unfortunately these are things that are outside of our control and things that neither myself nor Mr (David) Mogashoa could do anything about,” Lesufi said on Sports Night Amplified with Andile.
“I think that the route suggested now is inevitable or else the club will be expelled by the PSL or liquidated or Fifa debts would have taken it down.”
“I agree that communication should have been better, that said we cannot say Mr Mogashoa didn’t try his best he really did,” he added, bringing an end to a tumultuous period for the Dube Birds in the DStv Premiership following reports of financial challenges last season.
In a statement released by Gallants on Thursday, Bahlabane Ba Ntwa also revealed that they will host their home games in the upcoming DStv Premiership season in Bloemfontein.
“Following the final approval of the Premier Soccer League (PSL) today, Marumo Gallants Football Club officially confirms the acquisition of Moroka Swallows Football Club. Gallants will take over Swallows with immediate effect. The club also confirms that home games for the upcoming season will be played in Bloemfontein, Free State,” read the club statement.
“Gallants will provide more details once staff, technical team and players have been addressed. At this stage the club will not be issuing further comments or taking interviews – a date will be communicated for a press briefing that will take place shortly.
Perhaps the last word belongs to die-hard fan Dube-based Lerato Mathiba. “Mogashoa was the sledgehammer. Panyaza the stiletto”.
‘BRING BACK MOROKA SWALLOWS’
BIRDS WITHOUT A SONG: FIFA may be asked to intervene as shell-shocked fans question
‘secret’ deal to sell club’s status
By Ali Mphaki
Like vultures circling a dead corpse throngs of wingless Moroka Swallows supporters will migrate to what is set to be a jam-packed Kopanong Hall in Dobsonville, Soweto, on Sunday.
Dubbed “Bring Back Moroka Swallows”, the “historic” meeting is aimed at, among others, to form an interim committee to reclaim the name Moroka Swallows and facilitate a broader national general meeting to discuss a way forward for the club whose status was sold to Marumo Gallants two weeks ago. Leading the charge to save the name of the club is former Swallows winger Steve “Manelow” Sekano, who together with die-hards Olki Hlalele, Bishop Tekane, Solly Msimango, Thulani Mayekiso and Isaac Mudau have formed an interim committee to kick-start their move.
In a statement released this week questioning the sale of the status of the club, the interim committee indicated that football depends on supporters and that supporters must be directly engaged in any decisions pertaining to the affairs of the club.
“Clearly Moroka Swallows supporters and card carrying members and shareholders were excluded in the process. The status of the club was sold to Marumo Gallants without any consultation,” the statement reads. Detailing their approach, the interim committee said they will adopt a “step-by-step” method; This will include to first engage management, bring back the name Moroka Swallows to supporters, and take full control of the team back to the hands of Moroka Swallows supporters.
Said Steve Sekano:” The sale of the institution was done wrongfully and unfairly. Clearly Moroka Swallows supporters and card carrying members and shareholders were excluded in the process. The status of the club was sold to Marumo Gallants without any consultation. “We will write a letter to the former Moroka Swallows management and if there is no satisfaction forward it to the PSL, SAFA, and FIFA. “ Adds Hlalele:” We want to ensure the name Moroka Swallows name remains in the hands of those who love the team – supporters.”
Among the interim committee plans is facilitate a broader Moroka Swallows national general meeting as well as to establish provincial structures.
In line with their strategy, the interim committee resolved to elect a Gauteng-based interim committee in order to fast-track the process of reviving Moroka Swallows. They also resolved to elect a national committee during the broader national meeting. The sale of Moroka Swallows status was given the green-light by the PSL two weeks ago following a tumultous last season fraught with financial challenges.
Aggrieved fans say they were not consulted and there was no transparency, yet the club’s head-honchos Hendrick Lesufi, who is also Gauteng premier and his businessman friend David Mogashoa, used to call meetings in places like Birchwood hotel in Ekurhuleni to update supporters about the club’s progress. “We were also offered and bought shares but no one consulted us when they sold the status of club,” cries Sipho Mdluli, another staunch supporter.
The Lesufi/Mogashoa five-year or so reign over Moroka Swallows was initially full of promise but never a well-oiled machine. Apart from their well-publicised financial woes – one time players went without pay for months and refused to take to the field against Mamelodi Sundowns, coach Steve Kompela resigned etc – the majority of Soweto-based fans were irked by what they perceived as a Tembisa ‘takeover” of the club, Lesufi’s Ekurhuleni birthplace. “Suddenly everything to do with the club like bus trips for fans etc. was controlled from Lesufi’s constituency in Tembisa, with Soweto-based fans expected to play second fiddle,’ adds Mxolisi Sithole. Whilst fireworks are expected at Sunday’s meeting, it remains to be seen whether it would go beyond shouts and recriminations – the general fate of such gatherings.
However, there is only one certainty – Swallows fans are aggrieved and reject with contempt the notion of being relegated to ‘birds without a song’.
Ntjilo ntjilo!
The meeting is scheduled for 11am.
