(At Sigwaca House)
MBABANE – Traditional football rivals nationwide have joined forces to launch a collective campaign permanently eradicating hooliganism and stadium violence.
The movement, spearheaded by Buhle Bema Supporters under the theme Braai and Chill, represents a unified front where everyday fans and stakeholders from all 16 Premier League teams have actively aligned under a single banner to protect the integrity of the sport.
Mbabane Swallows supporter and initiative founder, Buhle Dlamini, issued a rallying cry to the football fraternity, warning that the future of local football relies entirely on fan behaviour.
“We cannot allow football in this country to die on our watch,” Dlamini stated passionately. “I would like to urge supporters to accept match results, as we cannot allow the sport to die in our hands.”
The drive towards strengthening this collective unity comes in the wake of recurring crowd trouble, including a recent stadium skirmish that left Dlamini herself injured.
Supporters across all teams now acknowledge that these isolated incidents of violence carry heavy financial penalties that are actively crippling their own beloved clubs.
Fostering a spirit of Ubuntu is at the absolute core of this joint venture. Manzini Wanderers supporters’ vice-chairman, Mancane Gama, emphasised that keeping this collective front alive is vital for the survival of the domestic game.
“We thank Buhle for this great initiative aimed at curbing violence during football games, as unruly behaviour chases away potential sponsors, investors and scouts,” Gama remarked.
This ongoing unified stance has also gained crucial backing from the corporate sector and social justice organisations, with corporate partners Instacash, the Swatini Action Group Against Abuse (SWAGAA) and the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) all stepping in to support the fans’ peaceful directive.
Thulani ‘Mr Two’ Ngubeni, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) for the Umkhonto KaShaka fans, echoed the sentiment that the power to change stadium culture lies squarely in the hands of the supporters themselves.
He noted that the fans are ready to take full ownership of their stands, ensuring that rivalries begin and end strictly on the pitch, creating a safe, welcoming environment for everyone.
*Full article available on Pressreader*
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