Football

At Elangeni High School

LOBAMBA – Princess Lungile, the wife of the late Mbabane Swallows Chairman Victor Gamedze has transferred the club to its supporters yesterday. 

This historic moment unfolded at Madlenya House, where over fifty devoted fans, elders, branch chairpersons, administrators and former players gathered to witness the transition of the iconic football club, established in 1948.

The assembly included respected figures like Arthur Ntiwane, Luke Malinga, Wilfred ‘Maria Maria’ Fakudze, Mandla Vilakati, Enock Nkosi and Steven ‘Gear Box’ Motsa. Supporters’ branch leaders were also present: Elvis Khanyile (Mbabane), Mduduzi Msane (Manzini), Mduduzi Ginindza (Mhlume), Jabulane Dlamini (Big Bend), Shadrack Shongwe (Malkerns), William Gamedze (Ngwenya) and Fikile Hlophe (Matsapha). Their attendance reflected the deep significance of the occasion.

Wilfred ‘Maria Maria’ Fakudze opened the meeting, tracing the club’s storied past, revealing that Bheki Simelane, a lawyer, led Swallows initially, with Absalom Ngwenya, who was close to him at that time. “We must make it clear that Simelane was in charge and Ngwenya was just someone who was close to him,” he recounted.

He said after Simelane’s passing, Gamedze took the helm, transforming the club into a company to align with FIFA’s requirement that football clubs operate as businesses, not associations. “Victor said: ‘To own a team, you must invest shares,’” Fakudze quoted, noting Gamedze’s vision to secure the club’s future. He praised Princess Lungile’s steadfastness: “She stood firm through challenges to preserve Swallows for its true owners—the supporters.”

Princess Lungile addressed the gathering with poise. “I’m delighted to stand with the elders of Mbabane Swallows, a club with 19 supporters’ branches and over 18 000 members,” she said.

She explained her late husband’s decision to register Swallows as a company, a move driven by FIFA’s guidelines. “After Victor’s passing, I asked the executor not to distribute the club to his heirs, but to return it to the supporters,” she declared. Guided by legal advice, she proposed a board to represent all stakeholders, with members said to be in charge and then after three years, a new board is elected. “This will ensure Swallows thrives,” she added, unveiling a seven-member board to lead the club forward.

The new Mbabane Swallows Pty Limited trading as Mbabane Swallows FC board includes Bongani Dlamini (Chairman), Cyprian Mandla Ginindza (Vice-Chair), Fikile Fakudze(member), Silindile Mathathe (Secretary), Nonhlanhla Masina, Mfundo Zwane, and Peace Matsebula. Khaya Vilakati was named governor, and Wonder Nhleko appointed Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Full article available in our paper.

Mbabane Swallows elders with supporters branch chairpersons and Princess Lungile (R) at Madlenya House, Mbabane after the meeting yesterday. (Pic: Sanele Jele)