Soccer – A historic chapter has closed at Mbabane Swallows as Princess Lungile, widow of the late club boss Victor ‘Maradona’ Gamedze, officially handed 100% ownership of the capital city giants to supporters.
The landmark announcement was made yesterday afternoon during a meeting at Madlenya House, attended by club elders, legends, and branch chairpersons.
The move ends a 15-year stewardship by the Gamedze family, which began when Victor assumed control of the club. Princess Lungile, who has overseen the team since Gamedze’s tragic passing in January 2018, revealed that the process of transferring ownership has been finalized. The club’s shares, once tied to Gamedze’s estate, have now been legally returned to the fans. Different representatives from the elders, legends, and supporters are already listed on the club’s Form J with the Registrar of Companies.
“I would like to formally hand over the club’s shares back to the fans after you trusted us to run the club for the past 15 years. The shares are no longer under the Gamedze estate and today I present them to you. On behalf of my late husband and the Gamedze family, I thank you for all the support over the years and wish the team the very best,” she said.
When asked whether she would continue to play a role in Swallows’ future, Princess Lungile said she was stepping away from football entirely to focus on other ventures.
In response, Mfundo Zwane, a member of the newly formed seven-man board tasked with overseeing the transition of ownership, expressed gratitude to Princess Lungile for her leadership and service to the club.
The resolution taken at yesterday’s meeting will now be presented to the broader Swallows family at a mass gathering scheduled for Saturday at St Mark’s High School Hall, starting at 11am. Supporters are expected to deliberate on the latest developments and map a way forward for the people’s team.
