Story by Mthokozisi Dube
BULAWAYO giants, Highlanders are heading towards yet another election season, with the club set to elect a chairperson, secretary and committee member in February next year following the lapse of their three-year term in office.
Ahead of the polls, there is already an outcry over the club’s 2006 Highlanders constitution, which demands elections at the club every year or two, with the 2024 elections to be soon followed by other polls for the Vice Chairperson and Treasurer’s positions in 2025.
Highlanders Life Member Omega Sibanda said, “What is happening is wrong, we have the board and the executive who are mandated by the club but the result is that of confusing roles. As members, we will table an agenda on the amendment of the constitution as we can’t afford to be in election mode every year. Those elected should serve for say 4 years and all should be voted in and voted out at once because that has been the Highlanders’ problem of fights and wanting to do things in a certain way.”
Meanwhile, four candidates incumbent chair, Jonfart Sibanda; former chairperson Kenneth Mhlophe, benefactor and South Africa-based Nodumo Nyathi and Dr Qhubani Moyo are linked with the big job although the list is expected to balloon when the nomination court sits two weeks before the elections.
One of the candidates Dr Qhubani Moyo could neither confirm nor deny his interest while attributing his call to the fan base.
“I have been reading it from the media but what I know is that the fans think I have what it takes to drive the club, being a life member. I cannot confirm nor deny but the truth is that I have been involved in a lot of activities at the club.”
Highlanders turned what looked like their year of redemption into a pipe dream as they became a punching bag for most clubs after match day 20, ending the season on position five and in the process parting ways with their expatriate coach, Baltemer Brito.
