Posted in News on Sep 14, 2003.
In a supporters' rally attended by supporters' club founder and national chairperson, club director China Ngema, supporters relations manager, Cecil Motaung, supporters club administrator Shupi Nkgadima, Mr. Shezi, councilor representing ward 75 of the Ethekwini Municipality Metro and many supporters and delegates from branches around KwaZulu/Natal, Gauteng and Western Cape, Mafani said the Durban branch had shown commitment to its mandate from the word go.
"As we all know the mandate of the supporters branches is (1) Recruitment (2) Attending games and stadium behavior (3) Genuine Club Uniform (4) Social Responsibility and (5) Monthly general meetings; this branch has demonstrated since day one their understanding of the mission given to supporters of the mighty Amakhosi.
"True Leadership involves allowing supporters to take the initiatives and be allowed to bring new ideas and innovations about the work of the branch and what we are seeing here today demonstrates just that. We are seeing the fruits of new ideas, team work, renewed passion and commitment to the work of supporters.
"I therefore congratulate the executive of this branch and challenge them to reach out for the top position in the supporters club Top 20 competition” said Mafani as he motivated a new branch, already boasting more than 450 registered supporters.
Mafani went further to present to the supporters present in the meeting the current Top 20 standing of all branches nationally and the Durban branch is now standing at position 4, after Site C, Cathedral and Bekkersdal 2 in that order.
The delegation from head office was particularly impressed with the way the executive organized their events, meetings and traveling to the club’s match venues.
Veteran administrator China Ngema said: "I want all of you to know that this supporters club was built on the strength of women's marketing strategies. We used women to sell pies at the games and a lot of men were attracted to the club and its supporters' club.
"I am particularly touched by what I see here today and wish Ewert (Nene) were here to see how far you, the supporters, have taken the work of building this club to be the biggest and probably the government itself," said Madlokovu as he is passionately known.
The supporters, the half of whom were women, who attended the launch got first hand news when Cecil Motaung unveiled his new responsibilities to them.
"I am grateful to Mafani for all that he taught me with regard to the supporters and today I am pleased to let you know that I will be dealing with all issues relating to branches, new branches, and old branches will come to me for their needs and I am humbled by the faith the management has demonstrated by giving me this huge task and I welcome it by both hands.
"Although I am not a public speaker like 'Fani' (Putco) here, my strength is hidden in the organizational aspect of things and hey I can be naughty and fun to work with if you get what I mean," said the Chief, as the supporters always call him.
Branch Chairman, Siyabonga Ncwane was quick to point out that they had worked around the clock tirelessly to ensure their dream of having a top alternative branch to the inhabitants of Durban came through.
"I thank you Ngwenya (Putco) for believing in us and allowing us to try out our vision but most importantly I thank Chief for his encouragement, because it is not easy to start a new branch particularly in a place like Durban where there are already very successful branches around us," said Ncwane with a look that commands respect and authority within his charges.
Celebrations for the launch of this branch went until the wee hours of the night and only stopped the next morning as supporters prepared to go to the Kings' Park soccer stadium to support their team take on Golden Arrows in a game characterized by many as the luckiest day ever in the history of Arrows to escape a potentially embarrassing huge defeat.
This is the game when Chiefs missed a minimum 9 clear-cut chances in the second half only, thanks to lady luck, which fell for Arrows on Sunday.
Halala Durban Branch, Halala!
