LISTEN: Shauwn Mkhize back in football with new club, talks about Royal AM auction
She is the new president of Mbabane Highlands AM FC in Eswatini.
Mbabane Highlanders FC, president Shauwn Mkhize. Photo: 947
947’s Robert Marawa speaks with Shauwn Mkhize, president of Mbabane Highlanders AM FC.
Listen below:
Mkhize is back in the spotlight and back in football as she takes the helm at Mbabane Highlanders FC as its new president.
Under her leadership, the Eswatini club has been rebranded as Mbabane Highlanders AM Football Club, to include the initials of her son, Andile Mpisane.
“I didn’t come to football because I love football... I came to football because I was supporting my son, but unfortunately I got addicted to it.”
– Shauwn Mkhize, President – Mbabane Highlanders AM FC
This comes after a stormy exit from Royal AM, which was expelled from the Premier Soccer League and faced several financial setbacks, including a R40 million debt with SARS.
RELATED: Royal reckoning: Court dismisses Royal AM case, finds club misled PSL
Mkhize shares that Minister of Sport, Gayton McKenzie’s son Calvin Le John had an interest in buying Royal AM after it went through a curatorship.
Le John is now the chairman of Siwelele FC, which was previously known as SuperSport United.
“[The offer] was rejected, I think it was R35-R40 million. My father [rejected it]… I wish I knew because I would have been happy, honestly… I would have had something of a financial benefit rather than having nothing.”
– Shauwn Mkhize, President – Mbabane Highlanders AM FC
The club was sold at auction to Durban businessman, Roy Moodley.
“I think what has happened here is that it's someone [the curator] who doesn’t understand soccer and the value of soccer. He came in and he decided not to allow the team to play. I tried everything to say ‘Please allow us to play’… but I failed.”
– Shauwn Mkhize, President – Mbabane Highlanders AM FC
Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the discussion.