Highlanders' pilgrimage to founding skipper's grave

HIGHLANDERS last week took a long overdue step in trying to recognise men who risked limbs to grow the Bosso brand as part of its 90th Anniversary Celebrations.

A delegation of six led by Luke Mnkandla, the Highlanders board member in charge of the celebrations, chief executive officer Ndumiso Gumede, vice-chairman Modern Ngwenya, traditional chiefs Vuyani Nyangazonke Ndiweni and Khulumani Mathema and Prince Peter Zwide KaLanga Khumalo visited Fingo Location in Grahamstown in South Africa to pay homage to founding captain Rhodes Lobengula Khumalo.

Highlanders was founded by Rhodes and his elder brother Albert whose remains are in Gwatemba in Insiza District.

For long the club has been guilty of what every other local team has neglected too — showing respect to former players. Stars have complained of being shunned the moment they called time on their careers.

Yet the bottom line is they were employed and do not own the club.

If there are owed anything the civil courts and Footballers Union of Zimbabwe are both there to ensure they get their dues. They should never hold the club to ransom and be destructive elements fomenting factionalism in institutions they played for.

Former players are expected to be role models for younger generations. They should be brand ambassadors that could be called up at anytime to sell the club image instead of being rowdy rebels without a cause and integrity as has been the case around.

Nonetheless, it was a noble idea for Highlanders FC to seek to connect with its past with a hope that could drive the club to greater heights beginning this year. They remain Zimbabwe's second most successful club after Dynamos with over 50 pieces of silverware won in as many years.

But for all its successes coupled with an economy that is not promoting the growth of the sports industry, they have remained perennial under-achievers against a background of a seemingly saleable brand even beyond the borders.

The trip to Grahamstown should not be looked at as a holiday but a spiritual journey that should serve to motivate all associated with the club how the dream by Rhodes and his elder brother Albert has united a nation. It is has created a legacy, becoming an employer of choice and an entertainer of repute that has brought people of all ethnic groups together to cheer and support the team they love.

Unlike Dynamos whose problems have been to do with its founding players refusing to let go, the Khumalos, Ngcebetshas, Hlabanganas, Mabhenas, Makhandas and Kwekwes have not returned to haunt the present day Bosso.

They left a lasting legacy worth emulating even by Zifa where accountability and transparency is exhibited year in, year out with audited accounts and an annual general meeting which reviews the past 12 months and previews the ensuing year.

Speaking at a community hall next to the grave of Rhodes in Fingo Location in Grahamstown, Zwide KaLanga said Rhodes and Albert had succeeded in bringing the politically marginalised Africans together. Sport became a vehicle for socio-political and economical cohesion among the people of Bulawayo.

"Albert and Rhodes both liked sport. Forming a football club was to bring people together, it kept people glued together. They incorporated other families and tribes so this was an economic and social cause. This (trip) is not a Khumalo thing but a community endeavour to appreciate the history and origins of the club.

"Highlanders is not only about results on the pitch, it's the only club in Zimbabwe to have a historical and cultural link to a nation and monarchy and Mnkandla (Luke), you may not be taking anything tangible back to Zimbabwe, you are commended for the novelty idea of honouring one of the founding players of the club Rhodes," said Zwide KaLanga.

The local authority and South African government acceded to requests by the Khumalos not to have Luvuyo Community Hall built on the graves. Instead in 2007 tombstones were built and unveiled the same year with work in progress to identify more graves of relatives of Rhodes buried there.

Rhodes is buried next to his wife Nondini and while one grave is marked as the one of Njube, scholars and Khumalo family members and associate families who include Mabhenas, Ndiwenis, Mkwananzis and Nxumalos insist Njube is interred at Entumbane in the Matobo Hills having died in the Cape and his body brought here for burial.

Sizwe Mda, the chief executive officer of the Lobengula Heritage and Foundation said they were keen on establishing a museum at the house where Rhodes lived and has stayed a family home. It's an old dilapidated building with a wooden floor and a basement compartment with history written all over its walls.

He said it has potential to be a good business and historical venture to benefit both South Africans and Zimbabweans.
Prince Bulelani Khumalo from Mangwana's housem, one of Lobengula and Nkulumane's brothers emphasised the historical ties existing between the two countries. He said the peoples' history should be used to fight xenophobia.

Mnkandla said as part of the club's 90th Anniversary Celebrations they are considering paying respect to all former players. There are planned visits to the Khumalos, Mabhenas, Ngcebetshas and other fallen heroes who have served the club over the decades.

"Obviously questions are bound to be asked why Rhodes only, it's that we have started with the one furthest. The majority of the players are in Zimbabwe. As part of the celebrations we want to ensure we honour our players the best way we can for this long journey.

"To have the best celebrations, it is not up to the club board and executive to make it happen, it is all our responsibility. We invite the business community and individuals to come forward and support projects we will have as part of the celebrations this year," said Mnkandla.

He hinted that they would come up with a committee that would identify players for the Hall/Wall of Fame.

Not everybody who played for Highlanders FC just like any other club is a legend, there are some who distinguished themselves who rightfully earn the right to it.

The Hall/Wall of Fame concept would be due honour and recognition to former players and administrators living and departed.

Local clubs neglect their former players and will not bother to invite them to milestone events or the courtesy of a complimentary ticket at one of the games where thieves who milk clubs have turned heroes.

Mnkandla said a golf day, a dinner and today's match to feature Highlanders and a Botswana outfit in the Royal Cup will be one of the activities lined up for the year.

"There will be a big event at some stage to mark our 90 years, at the moment I will not say much. On Sunday we will have our first team playing in the Royal Cup against a Botswana outfit," said Mnkandla.

He said they would soon announce a committee to identify club greats. Chief Mathema who was part of the Highlanders delegation said he was proud with what the club had achieved in its 90 years.

That players had come from a number of tribes and across borders signified sport's importance in uniting the people.