Posted in News on Jul 20, 2003.
The gates opened at 09h30 as people were flocking in. Iwisa gig rig provided us with music as were waiting for the proceedings to take place. Everybody was in Chiefs colours and the Cyber Branch Executive Committee and members were easily identified with T-shirts printed Cyber Branch at the back.
At about 10h30 our MC and Cyber Branch Executive, Nkulu, called upon Mr Morgan Nkosi from Kaizer Chiefs and Jonathan "Mabures" Skosana from Cyber Branch to lead the proceedings. Mr Nkosi declared the Acer Cyber Branch official; the branch's executive committee was introduced to the people, KC staff, sponsors and KC partners. Ms Stella Helwick, Acer's brand manager, gave the speech expressing her delight to be involved with the Cyber Branch as the main sponsors.
At 11h45 we all converged to the tent provided by Iwisa where the big screen was setup, compliments of DSTV, allowing us to watch the match of the day between the Vodacom Challenge Champions, Kaizer Chiefs, and Turkey's Besiktas in the Peace King Cup Tournament in Busan, South Korea.
The game was interesting and the Glamour Boys displayed their best performance ever since arriving in Korea. They were playing as if they were aware that we are rallying behind them in full force.
There were branches from Tembisa, led by the one and only Saddam Maake, Eldorado Park, Noordgesig, and of course the hosts, KC Acer Cyber Branch. By half time the score 0-0. It was time for our VIP Guests to be served lunch while the supporters were treated to music by a live performance on stage, Muzkilla, a kwaito group from Blanq8 stable. The DJ continued to give us music after the live performance.
Second half was much more interesting ever, that's where we witnessed a feast of 4 goals from both sides. Besiktas were the first to score and our very own Musasa replied with a beautiful goal to level matters. Minutes later Besiktas reclaimed their lead and it was up to the veteran, Shoes Moshoeu, with his experience to help us get a point with a spectacular header to give Besiktas keeper no chance. The final score was 2 all
Kaizer Chiefs might be out of the Peace Cup tournament but after Saturday's performance and managing to salvage a draw against the Turkish giants, Besiktas was good enough for us to celebrate which coincides with our celebrations of launching the Acer Cyber Branch.
Entertainment continued after the game, with Muzkilla continuing their live performance on stage, which followed by Ignition, a Hip Hop and Ragga group from Botswana. As if that was not enough, the crowd went crazy when Dunusa Guys, JR Dancers, took the stage with their exotic Dunusa dance. There were give-aways of Acer Kaizer Chiefs caps during the duration of the launch.
The Cyber dance was officially unleashed to the public. Marangrang was leading the pack and most of the CB members joined in and those who didn’t know the dance learned as we were going at it. There was some Sguqa ngamadolo and Puff n Pass as u know that a party is not complete without them.
DSTV went on to allow people to watch the Bafana Bafana/Zimbabwe game, which was a bonus from them as it wasn't part of the plan initially.
Entertainment continued until 17h30 when we had to close, pack up and leave for the After-Party.
After Party
Marangrang's place in Naturena was the place to be after the launch at the park. It was a convoy of cars leading to Naturena for the after-party. We safely arrived at Molatudi's residence and we were ushered into the house, no no no that's putting it mildly but the mansion. The purpose of the after party was to celebrate the launch of the Cyber Branch and to entertain the Cape Crew, talk about entertaining...we were at Mr Entertainment's place. We had a braai, we had drinks, we danced, danced, danced and danced. Zola and Bossruu were our in-house DJs for that night and they treated us to some good music.
Nkulu, Nectoar, Freak & Gordon had other arrangements else they’d have been with us as they’ve supported the CB from the first day & have been ever present in all the CB events.
If you wanted to see the Acer Cyber Branch on the dance floor then you should have been at the after party. We partied and boogied the night away until after midnight when people had to leave since we had Pretorians in the house and they had to drive all the way back. A very special thanks to the Molatudi Family for hosting us for the after party, we really had a good time there and thanks to Zola for being himself on the night.
Lesibana also unleashed his preaching skills, which we never knew of till Saturday. This after Rebecca’s CD was played to the masses. This unfortunately happened when the party was drawing to a close. I’m sure should had he done that earlier, the party would have changed into a crusade.
Unfortunately our Assistant Gen Secretary was said to be involved in a car accident on his way back from the after party. But we understand he is okay and not injured as it was not bad. Reuphus 'Rhoo' Dlamini, the Acer Cyber Branch is with you all the way broer, we hope you get well.
Special Thanks
Kaizer Chiefs Acer Cyber Branch would like to thank the following individuals and sponsors: Acer, our main sponsor, for helping us to make this launch a success, especially Ms Stella Helwick for having faith in us. Empowering people, as your slogan goes, yes we were empowered in more ways than one. Iwisa, for providing the gig rig, catering, tent and the live act, you guys are the best and the food was delicious. DSTV, for the big screen and broadcasting the games live, continue giving us so much more.
Kaizer Chiefs, you guys are the biggest and richest team in Africa, be it financially and support base no doubt. All we can say from the Cyber Branch is: this is the beginning, watch the space...Nhlanhla, you've been more than just helpful in this case, thanx for your time and effort, keep up the good job you are doing. Blanq8, thanx very much in terms of production side and the performance which entertained us non-stop, Gordon and Nkulu for taking time off your hectic schedule and giving us assistance much needed.
Saddam Maake, thanx for the help in all aspects, especially branding the park and making sure that the branches make it to the launch. Bra Sello from Trust Condoms, your presence in making sure that people are made aware that HIV/AIDS kills. That's part of the social responsibility.
Nectoar and Freak who made sure that people feel safe by involving the presence of the SAPS, Freak for making sure that the VIP Guests are well looked after. A special Thank You to Acer Cyber Branch Executive Committee, we worked tirelessly everyday to make sure that the launch becomes a success. Not forgetting everyone who was part of Saturday's Launch.
How can we forget the Acer Cyber Branch Cape Crew, who drove all the way from Cape Town to be part of this historic moment? Fundi, Zwai, Lungelo, Lungiswa, Voli, Jabulani and his wife, thanx a lot for your time guys, this is what we mean by commitment.
Marangrang & His wife for hosting us for the after party. Thanx a lot for that.
Also Big Ups to every member of the CB for the support shown on Saturday & I hope that more of our members show their faces in the events that are coming.
In Closing
Through Technology, something new to Football was born on Saturday. Not everything good has to begin in Europe or the US, Africa also has the brains to start things that the world can learn from. We believe this new innovation is here to stay and we hope to see many more clubs making use of Technology not only to inform their supporters but to communicate and start new things aimed at improving our soccer support.
We believe supporters are also going to start to take initiative, as soccer is not about the Players but also the supporters who make it possible for soccer to be the number 1 sport in the world. We hope supporters through technology and physical interaction will feel part of the happenings in soccer and not feel left out. Because we can’t all be JJP’s (Jeremiah Jabu Pule), lets make ourselves visible and make soccer Players feel like they should actually be supporters. Let’s be supporters and not followers or fans. Let’s be registered supporters.
Lets also go to the stadium & stop being armchair supporters.
From the CB PRO's
Goodman "Tsakani" Nxumalo
Lebogang "USuspect" Seshoka
