Bosso elects Bulawayo businessman for chairmanship

PETER Dube won the Highlanders Football Club's chairmanship at yesterday's elections, shrugging off the challenge of incumbent Themba Ndlela and Mandla Moyo. The elections were held at the Highlanders Clubhouse with 355 bona-fide members casting their votes to choose the chairman, secretary-general and a committee member.

Dube beat Ndlela by 41 votes after managing to get 184 ballots and the imminent change sparked some celebrations from the members who believe that the man who once served as a secretary will help in the revival of Highlanders.

Ndlela managed to get 143 votes with Moyo getting a mere 23.

Only two people abstained from voting for the chairman, and one vote was a spoilt ballot.

Addressing members after his victory, Dube said the club's success lies in the collective effort from all stakeholders within the institution and promised to work with every member.

"I am not a liar and that is why I have stepped up to say I want to lead this great club to greater heights. For us to achieve this we are going to need a collective effort.

"Amazwi awalandima (talk is cheap) and in my leadership we are going to strive to embrace everyone for the good of the club," Dube said.

The elections saw an improved turnout with people coming from all over the country to cast their votes.

Some of the members came from as far as Harare, Beitbridge, Plumtree and other parts of the country.

Because of the huge turn out and meticulous verification before distribution of ballot papers and counting of votes, results were announced after 1 pm.

By 8am, members had started arriving at the clubhouse.

Voting was peaceful mood and voters accepted the results.

Andrew Tapela retained the secretary-general's post in a tightly contested race that saw him get 153 votes.

Former Highlanders manager Emmett Ndlovu came second with 147 votes while Donald Ndebele was a distant third with 55.

However, for the secretary-general's election there were 355 ballots, but the Electoral College and the representatives of candidates agreed to have the results stand even though there were two extra ballots.

Board member Luke Mnkandla, who was the returning officer, suspected that some one might have accidentally been given two papers. This caused the delay in announcing results.

"There was a slight anomaly as there were two more votes for the secretary-general's race. However, please note that this does not affect the result and we spoke to all representatives of the candidates and agreed to announce the results," said Mnkandla.

Despite this hiccup, the club members kept their cool and accepted the outcome of the elections.

"Thank you very much for the confidence and trust that you bestowed in me and I will continue working hard for the club. I know I am going to face some criticism and I'll take it constructively," Tapela said.

Charles "Six-One" Moyo won another tightly contested committee member's seat as he got 130 votes with incumbent Wisdom Mabhena polling 122.

Dumisani Mabhena, who lost the 2009 elections to Wisdom, got 99 votes.

A handover takeover meeting is set for this evening at the Highlanders offices.

Mnkandla, on behalf of the board, appealed to members to support the Highlanders' new executive.

"Please let us try and help the people that you have elected into office and render them support.

"I have been advised that there is going to be a combined board and executive meeting tomorrow (today) at 5pm where the handover-takeover will be done," Mnkandla said.