Ndlovu new Bosso secretary

Sport
EMMETT Ndlovu was voted new Highlanders executive committee secretary at the team’s clubhouse yesterday taking over from Andrew Tapela.

EMMETT Ndlovu was voted new Highlanders executive committee secretary at the team’s clubhouse yesterday taking over from Andrew Tapela.

FORTUNE MBELE/ SUKOLUHLE MTHETHWA

Peter Dube was declared chairperson for another term after he went in unchallenged.

The former Bosso physiotherapist and manager, Ndlovu, emphatically bounced back to the Highlanders fold with 111 votes shrugging off challenge from social entrepreneur Innocent Batsani Ncube who picked up 51.

(left)Highlanders-CEO-Ndumiso-Gumede-and-member-of-the-electoral-committe-Jimmy-Ncube-display-the-ballot-boxs-to-the-electorate-before-elections-at-club-house-on-Sunday
(left)Highlanders CEO Ndumiso Gumede and member of the electoral committe Jimmy Ncube display the-ballot boxs to the electorate before elections at club house on Sunday

Njabulo Bango got 27, Donald Ndebele 26 while Pilate Mahlangu only got 13 votes.

Only one vote was spoilt out of the 229 members that cast their ballots, a far cry from the more than 300 that attended the club’s annual general meeting last Sunday.

Committee member under former chairman Themba Ndlela, Wisdom Mabhena, bounced back to the same position garnering 96 votes and trouncing outgoing Charles “Six-One” Moyo who picked up 57 votes, while Faith Silandulo Dube got 44 with Cleopas Ngano getting 32.

Ndlovu was ecstatic about winning the election saying it was not about him, but serving Highlanders.

“The most important thing as far as I am concerned is the Highlanders people who elected me into office,” he said.

“This institution has to move from one level to the other. I have to add value to the system and to this mighty institution. It is not about me having won the election, but it is about the Highlanders mission statement.”

(second-from-left)New-Highlanders-secretary-Emmett-Ndlovu-being-congradulated--by-supporters-after-the-announcement-of-results-at-Bosso-Club-house-on-Sunday
(second-from-left)New Highlanders secretary Emmett-Ndlovu being congradulated by supporters after the announcement of results at Bosso Club house on Sunday

In the run-up to the elections, Ndlovu did not do much campaigning and did not publish a manifesto, but emerged the outright winner to the post for the next three years.

“I did not have to write any manifesto because these manifestos will be gathering dust when someone has won the election,” he said.

“For me, the most important thing was I already knew that there was a chairperson in office, who already had a vision and I would come in and support him run with the vision.

“In most instances, you want to come in with your own ideas devoid of what the system wants. As far as I know, Highlanders crafted a well-documented strategic plan in 2006, which should be put to action.”

Mabhena, who tried his luck as vice-chairman in 2012 and lost to incumbent Mgcini Sibhalo Mpofu whose term expires next year, said he would work with all stakeholders.

He said his first port of call would be to ensure team security.

Dube, unopposed following the disqualification of Ernest “Maphepha” Sibanda by the nomination court, said Highlanders’ objective was to ensure that as an executive committee, they worked together in line with the vision of the club.

New-Highlanders-secretary-Emmett-Ndlovu-(on-spectacles)-being-congradulated--by-supporters-after-the-announcement-of-results-at-Bosso-Club-house-on-Sunday
New Highlanders secretary Emmett-Ndlovu (on spectacles) being congradulated by supporters after the announcement of results at Bosso Club house on Sunday

“I haven’t sat down with my new colleagues in the executive, but I want to believe that my wishes and hopes must be similar to those of my colleagues,” he said.

“But let me say more after we sit down and decide what we would want done for this big club.

“I can assure you that it is not outside the scope of what these members you have seen gather here for these past two weekends wish for. We certainly can’t work outside their wishes, but all we can do is to pay attention to what we come across daily and implement everything with the vision that the club and its members have.”

Dube added: “I am happy with what has happened in the past. Like I said before, the biggest dent and setback was the last three months of last season in terms of setting your sights high.

“Before the season ended, we realised that we were not in contention anymore for (league title). The most important thing is trying to arrest those problems that resulted in that development.”

Board chairman Mgcini Nkolomi was happy with the electoral process.

“I would like to express my profound thanks to the electoral court that presided over this election,” he said.

“There is no loser here. Highlanders is the biggest winner.”