Former Highlanders Football Club secretary general and treasurer Nkululeko Mabhena has urged the club members to vote for candidates that will make the club a model for all in Zimbabwe.
The highly anticipated Highlanders elections for the positions of club chairman, secretary general and committee member from 2024 to 2027 are set to take place today.
It is the post of chairman that has generated a lot of interest amongst Bosso members and football fans at large with the incumbent Johnfat Sibanda battling it out against former chairman Kenneth Mhlophe, the vibrant Nodumo Nyathi and Edison Dube, who is the darkhorse.
Mabhena won the premier league with Highlanders in 1993 as the secretary general and team manager before taking over the treasurer's post in 1995.
He went on to become the chairperson of the Premier Soccer League (PSL) finance committee in 1996.
The veteran administrator urged the Bosso family to remain united even after the elections.
"Most of the time, the elections leave the club weaker because people will be divided into factions. The losing candidate will spend the whole year trying to pull down the winning candidate, which is wrong. Some of the members have grudges that date from the past and they will use elections as a tool to fight those battles. This hinders progress. I urge those that will be elected to make Bosso a model club that we are proud of as members that once served the club,” Mabhena said.
“I also urge members that once served in the club not to put those in office under pressure. People should work together. Those that win should also consult everyone after assuming office because only God has monopoly of wisdom, the rest of us we learn from each other. Above all, I wish them well," he said.
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Mabhena believes that Bosso elections should be exemplary because it is the only club in the country that allows members to choose their own leaders.
"The elections validate that the club is for the people. That's the difference between Highlanders and other clubs because we are the only club that exposes leadership to the electorate. The challenge, however, is that people may be desperate to replace someone and it ends up being nasty and even worse than in national politics. Highlanders elections should be sober, with humility. The electorate should decide freely," said Mabhena, a devout Seventh Day Adventist member.
The secretary general post will be contested by incumbent Morgan Dube who will battle it out against Raeburn Ndebele and Nsikelelo Moyo.
Bhekumuzi Sibanda and Kindman Ndlovu will contest for the Committee Member post with incumbent Mgcini Mafu deciding to step aside.
The elected members will be office bearers at the club for the next three years and barring a vote of no confidence during their tenure, will oversee the club's 100-year milestone in 2026.
During the week a lot of activity was happening at the club's offices with interviews for the second assistant coach conducted.
Philani Mabhena is a firm favourite to land the post.
The club also extended contracts for youngsters Prince Ndlovu, Gillian Nyathi and Talent Dube.
