AFTER almost 13 years since the passing on of Eswatini’s only female football Director Busi Dlamini in September 2012, the gap has finally been filled by new Mbabane Highlanders AM FC President Shauwn ‘MaMkhize’ Mkhize.
‘MaMkhize’, as she is affectionately known, was recently unveiled as the team’s president, taking over from Bheki ‘Rubber’ Simelane, who resigned just two months into his tenure as managing director. His resignation followed internal divisions among team patrons regarding who should lead the club.
But I digress as this is not about Highlanders’ internal affairs but rather about ‘MaMkhize’ stepping into the shoes of a pioneering figure in Eswatini football.
While some may believe that she is the first female football boss in the country, that is not the case. That honour belongs to the trailblazing Busi Dlamini, fondly remembered to many as ‘Make Busi’.
Through personal experience, I can attest that she was a humble woman, one who stood her ground and left a mark in a male-dominated industry.
Not only did she successfully run her own club but she also made history as the first woman to serve in the then Premier League of Swaziland (PLS) Executive Committee where she served alongside football heavyweights including the late Mbabane Swallows boss Victor ‘Maradona’ Gamedze, Steve Horton, Mduduzi ‘Tsotsi’ Mabila and former Mhlambanyatsi Rovers Director Dumisani ‘Marandi’ Dlamini.
The late Red Lions director began her football journey as the director of Zwicle FC, a Manzini Super League team that produced notable players including Sihlangu international and former Jomo Cosmos striker Phinda ‘Phindrix’ Dlamini, who is also her son and former Green Mamba stars Sanele Chauke and Lungelo Tembe.
While still managing Zwicle FC, Make Busi was elected Vice Chairperson of the Manzini Regional Football Association (MRFA), a position I believe has also never been held by a woman in Eswatini (I stand to be corrected).
Make Busi had long set her sights on top-flight football and that opportunity came when Lubombo Super League side Red Lions won the playoffs and qualified for the National First Division.
However, the team’s owner said to be a former Member of Parliament in the Lubombo region chose to sell the club’s status and Make Busi stepped up and bought it.
Her team competed in the National First Division with ‘Phindrix’ among the squad members before his eventual move to the University of Pretoria’s AmaTuks and later Jomo Cosmos.
Unwavering
Her unwavering commitment to the game eventually saw her team promoted to the elite league. Sadly, Make Busi passed on, leaving the club in the hands of her sons including ‘Phindrix’, who later brought in another director to help run the team.
With all that said, ‘MaMkhize’ has now filled a 13-year gap and becomes the second woman to take over a football club in Eswatini, the first at Mbabane Highlanders AM FC.
There are striking similarities between ‘MaMkhize’ and the late Make Busi.
The first is their ability to make an impact in a male-dominated space. Despite the challenges with her previous team, ‘MaMkhize’ stepped up, defied the odds and took ownership of a team that plays top-flight football.
The second is their love and support for their sons. For ‘MaMkhize’, founding a football club was partly about her son Andile Mpisane hence the ‘AM’ in Royal AM and now the re-branded Mbabane Highlanders AM FC.
In addition to being the chairman, Andile has also played for the team. Likewise, Make Busi held her star players, sons Phinda and Majaha in high regard. Though they played for different teams at times, they were deeply involved in running Red Lions FC during and after her passing.
Mark
Make Busi, (may her soul continue to rest in peace) made her mark and it is now ‘MaMkhize’s’ time to shine.
I won’t delve into the internal dynamics at Mbabane Highlanders AM FC, as Sports Editor Mphikeleli Msibi already addressed that in his column yesterday.
All I can say is that I hope ‘MaMkhize’ breaks ground, shatters any barriers that remain and takes, not only Mbabane Highlanders AM FC but Eswatini football to greater heights.
And most importantly, I hope she receives all the support she needs.
The floor is now yours Madam President. Good Luck!!!
Eswatini Observer Press Reader
