‘FINDING ANOTHER MAHLALELA WILL BE DIFFICULT’

BY SANELE JELE

MBABANE – The football fraternity is mourning the untimely passing away of Manzini Wanderers Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Pat Mahlalela.

Mahlalela, as reported by our sister publication, Eswatini News, succumbed to an illness while undergoing treatment at an unnamed hospital in South Africa last Friday.

Wanderers, through its Public Relations Officer (PRO) Sandile ‘Ntofo’ Dlamini, described Mahlalela as a dedicated man who displayed high energy when executing the team’s duties.

“Manzini Wanderers mourns its departed son Pat Samkelo Mahlalela. Mahlalela grew up at Wanderers and played for the juniors team. Mahlalela was a dedicated servant of the team exhibiting high energy in working selflessly for Wanderers. He also held the position of CEO as well as general manager and contributed immensely to the club,” lamented Dlamini. 

The spokesperson said it would be difficult for the Hub giants to find an administrator like Mahlalela.

 “We wish to extend our heartfelt condolences to Mahlalela’s family for allowing their son to work for Manzini Wanderers. His departure has created a huge gap in the club,” he added.

Meanwhile, Mbabane Swallows joined those appreciating the contribution the late Wanderers official made towards local football. 

“Our deepest condolences go to the family and friends as well as the entire football fraternity. Our thoughts are with them during this sad moment. We have lost a passionate football person who was still going to contribute to the advancement of our sport,” Mancoba Mabuza said.

saddened by the passing

Mbabane Highlanders’ Director Ally Kgomongwe, through the voice of his right hand man Benson Dlamini, said they were also saddened by the passing away of the well-known administrator.

“He was destined for great heights both in his career and football. He was one dedicated and hardworking administrator. He surely left a mark in football and we will forever treasure his contribution to the game,” said Dlamini.

Royal Leopard’s PRO Frank Hurube said they were at a loss for words after learning about the sad news.

“He was like a brother to me. As Leopard, we send our deepest condolences to the Mahlalela family and Manzini Wanderers. Mahlalela led by example and we learnt a lot from him as an administrator,” Hurube lamented.

Denver Sundowns CEO Elvis Dube said as a team they were still trying to come to terms with the devastating news.

“Just recently we were mourning the sad loss of two prominent football people and now this. It is just too much for the local football fraternity. Mahlalela played a huge role in the development of football in Eswatini. We want to send our deepest condolences to Wanderers and the Mahlalela family along with the entire football fraternity,” he said.

Only over a week ago, the football fraternity was mourning the passing away of the most successful coach on the land, Thabo ‘Koki’ Vilakati after former Premier League of Eswatini CEO John Mazibuko also succumbed to an illness over a month ago.

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