Posted in News on Oct 11, 2001.
Our prayers are with the people who lost their lives, especially the South African citizens who were victims of this attack on humanity.
We strongly condemn violence of any form. We stand for ‘Love and Peace’ and I believe that as our great country has shown in the past decade, differences whatever they are, can be resolved through negotiation and not through violence.
These attacks have heightened emotions and I ask people to act with
restraint and wisdom when deciding who is to blame for these acts of
terror. I believe the blame lies with a small fanatic minority and not
with any religious denomination or nation in particular.
Kaizer Chiefs has within its family of support a huge diversity of
people, distinct through race, colour, class, religious affliation and
gender and yet we are united in our common goal of Love and Peace. We
ask all our supporters and the entire population to set an example for
the world to follow, to unite behind the humanitarian philosophy of
peace. Together we can overcome the differences, which divide us.
It had been yet another productive month for Chiefs and I take this
opportunity to congratulate the team, coach Muhsin Ertugral and his
technical staff for their magnificent performance in Egypt in overcoming
Ismalia. It was a true heroic effort after drawing the home game 0-0.
You have made not only the Chiefs family, but the entire country proud.
I believe we have what it takes to win this Cup and present it to Nelson
Mandela, our former President, who the Cup is named after.
September also saw us truimph over Sundowns in the Top Eight Cup.
I congratulate the team for their gritty performance and fighting
spirit, which saw them claw their way back and win via a penalty
shootout. It is this type of spirit shown by the team that makes me
optimistic about our chances in this season’s league chase.
There has been speculation recently regarding Doctor Khumalo. People
are wondering, whether he has retired or is being gradually phased out
of the team. The truth is that Khumalo is a one-team man and if I may
use Putco Mafani’s colourful phrase - “Khumalo is an Amakhosi 4 Life” - and we are actually honouring him for spending more than a decade at
Naturena this year.
He has, in fact, been appointed to a senior and more responsible
position within the team. Our team of Amakhosi magazine journalists
have, however, asked me not to say too much about that at this stage as
they are planning a four-page story about Khumalo’s new role in the next
edition of the magazine.
I would be failing in my duty if I don’t thank YFM for the sterling job
they are doing in providing their deejays and plenty of entertainment
prior to our home matches. I am grateful for their support. I would also
like to thank Sony Music who are more than willing to supply their
artists, sometimes at short notice, whenever they are needed to perform
live at our matches.
Maybe this is the time to also welcome on board
at Kaizer Chiefs the InterCape bus company, who become our official
transport sponsors. We hope they will derive as much pleasure out of
transporting the most famous players in South Africa around the country
as we get out of travelling in their luxurious busses.
To the supporters, I have noticed a steady increase in the number of
people now attending our games and I thank you all for the support. We
in turn will repay you by not only playing delightful soccer, but also
winning as many trophies as we possibly can.
Kaizer Motaung
Managing Director, Kaizer Chiefs
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