With the Executive Chairman Kaizer Motaung having already described 2012 as a mixed bag, kaizerchiefs.com contacted the Club’s Marketing Director Jessica Motaung and asked her to summarise and put 2012 into perspective.

“We did our best this year. We kept the Gold and Black flag flying high by engaging in a number of activities. It took hard and team work to achieve our year’s objectives. It is a huge responsibility to serve a broad stakeholder base. We have sponsor obligations to maintain as you might have seen us doing a lot of work with our sponsors through TV adverts. We have been traveling around the country with our main sponsor Vodacom in an attempt to take the Club closer to the communities; we have been to areas like Qwaqwa, Mahikeng, Polokwane, PE, Rustenburg and Soweto just to mention a few.

“Touching and changing lives is synonymous to Kaizer Chiefs. In partnership with our supporters, sponsors and partners we have engaged in various community initiatives. Revamping the Diana Davis Pre-school in Warmer location in PE and fulfilling the wish of Luthando Lukhe, the R1million winner of 2011 Carling Black Label consumer competition was very special. We would like to thank Carling Black Label for this forward thinking project.

“Our partnership with Nike has seen innovation in terms of the high tech apparel that is used by the Team. We had a successful launch of a new away kit this season. The new striking away kit is navy and blue, including a bold strip on the sleeves and hemline in the Club's traditional gold adding a modern twist on the classic crew neck design. The kit is made from Nike's ground-breaking polyester, making them Nike's most environmentally friendly kit ever produced. In another trend setting initiative in partnership with Nike, 2012 saw the revamp of the Kaizer Chiefs Retail Store at the Village which brings about a different class when it comes to shopping experience. We wish to thank Nike and everyone who played a role to bring this task to fruition.

“We went on in 2012 to break new grounds by becoming the first Football Club to register a Rugby 7’s team to play in the inaugural NBM 7’s Premier League tournament. With our sponsors Hollard we wanted to extend the Chiefs brand to a different world. Through this project we were humbled to witness the crossover of rugby and football supporters. With former Springboks Breyton Paulse (Captain) and Jonghi Nokwe providing test match experience, coached by Gcobani Bobo and Makhaya Ntini serving as Team Manager, the team comprised of a host of exciting South African talent. We would like to thank Hollard for their support.

“With Nissan we saw the players (Lehlohonolo ‘Major’ Majoro and Siphiwe ‘Shabba’ Tshabalala) being rewarded with the Nissan Juke vehicle for the Player of the Quarter as well as for the Player of the Season. In the process one lucky supporter (Martin Mogale) walked away with the Nissan Juke for being selected as winner in the Supporter’s Player of the Quarter Competition. Nissan Juke is a Green Car which aligns well with our Green awareness at Chiefs.

“At the stadia during Chiefs home games we have ensured that our supporters get entertained and walk away with prizes. This year we introduced another innovation, Amakhosi Festive Vibe which took off in grand style at Panyaza Chisanyama in Soweto. The event is all about having fun with the supporters. We will continue looking at different ways of engaging with the supporters and to create more fun filled and value add initiatives going forward.

“In 2012 our social network platforms (Kaizer Chiefs Twitter and Facebook) were rated as the best amongst the sporting brands in SA. We were not surprised when we surpassed 500000 in terms of our Facebook followers. And all this was achieved through a hard working team. Amakhosi Magazine and KC TV also continued to do well by providing the latest and up to date information to the football followers.

“Even though we didn’t win any PSL cup competition this year it is worth noting that we were the first team to lift the Gauteng Cup Challenge and we were crowned winners of the inaugural Q1 of the Q-Innovation.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who made a contribution to the growth and development of Kaizer Chiefs brand in 2012. With the spirit we saw this year in the Club I am optimistic that we will continue to break new grounds in 2013.

“Kaizer Chiefs would like to wish everyone a happy and prosperous 2013.”