Shauwn Mkhize launches 'AM era' at Mbabane Highlanders in honour of son Andile Mpisane
Image: BackpagePix
Durban businesswoman Shauwn Mkhize was confirmed as the new president of Eswatini giants Mbabane Highlanders over the weekend.
Immediately after taking charge, Mkhize, who previously owned Royal AM, changed the club's name to feature the letters 'AM', the initials of her son and heir, Andile Mpisane.
From now on, the club will be known as Mbabane Highlanders AM FC.
'We are proud to unveil the new official logo of Mbabane Highlanders AM F.C. – a symbol of strength, legacy, unity and ambition,' read a post on the club's Instagram page announcing the rebranding.
Get your news on the go, click
here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel.
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Advertisement
Next
Stay
Close ✕
Ad loading
New president Shauwn Mkhize unveils Highlanders' new logo & look
AM (Andile Mpisane) has been added to the club's name.
Mbabane Highlanders AM are the most successful team in Eswatini, with 13 Swazi Premier League titles & 9 Swazi Cups
🎥𝐄𝐬𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐫 𝐌𝐚𝐠 pic.twitter.com/wsZmrDdIR1 — Austin Ditlhobolo (@A_B_Ditlhobolo) July 12, 2025
And speaking at the ceremony on Saturday, Mkhize said: 'Mbabane Highlanders is a symbol of pride, strength and tradition. And today marks a new chapter, not a takeover but a partnership. A merging of histories between Eswatini and South Africa, rooted in shared ambition and excellence.
'To the patrons, my heartfelt thanks for your trust. To the fans, you are the soul of this club. Together, we will raise the standard, grow our talent and bring this club the success it deserves. My promise is simple: I will lead with integrity, vision and heart. We're not here to participate; we're here to elevate."
Mbabane Highlanders are the most successful team in Eswatini with 13 league titles to their name. However, they haven't been champions since 2001.
It remains to be seen how involved Mpisane will be with the new club. At Royal AM, another club named in his honour, he acted as chairman and player. Due to the transfer ban the club was handed at the beginning of last season, he featured in the first team often.
During their game against the mighty Kaizer Chiefs towards the end of last year, Mpisane struggled to make an impact as the Soweto giants ran up a 2–0 lead before half-time.
When Mpisane was taken off after the break, Royal AM started to find their groove, and they would eventually earn an encouraging 2-all draw. That game summed up much of Mpisane's stint at Royal AM – controversial, unpredictable, and always under the spotlight.
As the 'AM' era begins in Eswatini, all eyes will be on whether the new name brings the kind of results to match its bold ambitions.
IOL Sport
Get your news on the go, click
here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The South African
a day ago
- The South African
'The Blessing': Vincent Tshituka and wife share sweet wedding post
Springbok Vincent Tshituka and his wife Katlego Monare are sharing more content from their picturesque wedding which took place a week ago. The rugby player and his influencer bride wed in an intimate ceremony attended by close family and friends. Last month, the DRC-born player proudly made his green and gold debut against Italy at Loftus. In an Instagram post, Vincent Tshituka shared a clip of his beautiful wedding ceremony to wife Katlego Monare. 'He who finds a wife finds a good thing,' he says to the camera, which captures him weeping as he waits for his bride at the altar. The couple received showers of blessings as rain soaked them while they said their vows. The clip featured imagery of the couple enjoying intimate moments together and celebrating with their friends and family. 'The blessing,' read the caption of the emotional post. In November last year, Vincent Tshituka and Katlego Monare celebrated their lobola negotiations with a ceremony merging their Congolese and South African cultures. The Springbok also posted a screenshot of a DM he had sent to his partner in 2022. In it, the brazen rugby player stated his intentions to marry the beautiful woman. 'I'll come back to this in a couple of years to see', she jokingly responded. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
a day ago
- The South African
'Chapter is closed': Tatjana Smith won't swim competitively again
Former Olympic swimmer Tatjana Smith (formerly Schoenmaker) has reflected on the first anniversary of her retirement, insisting she has no desire to ever competitively compete again. The 28-year-old ended her professional career after a successful stint at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics, where she won gold in the 100m and silver in the 200m race. Tatjana is the wife of sports agent Joel Smith, who is the brother of former Springbok WAG, Rachel Kolisi. In an Instagram post, Tatjana Smith reflected on the anniversary of her decision to suddenly retire from competitive swimming. As South Africa's 'golden girl', the news came as a surprise to the public. She shared: 'It still feels surreal. A journey that began with a dream ended up exceeding every expectation I ever had. Swimming gave me more than medals or records — it shaped who I am. It taught me discipline, resilience, humility, and the power of showing up, again and again.' Tatjana added that her final race was dedicated to her family, who made many sacrifices to make her dreams come true, and even to her competitors, who helped motivate her. She continued: 'Swimming gave me a stage — but more importantly, it gave me a purpose, a second family, and moments I'll carry with me for the rest of my life. 'The chapter has closed, but the gratitude never will'. After retiring, Tatjana Smith revealed that she planned to enjoy quality time with her husband, family, and friends, and discover her new interests. She's also been vocal about her mental health challenges, particularly how swimming on a world stage amplified the pressure, and her anxiety, and how she now plans to slow down. In a new interview with SwimSwam magazine, Tatjana hinted that she was concerned about the sport's lack of money. She shared: 'In South Africa, we don't get paid by our federation, so athletes rely on sponsorships. But sponsorships are often based on performance; if you don't place at the top, there's little financial support. 'Winning bronze, for example, barely covers expenses. I realized that if I continued swimming, it would be purely for financial reasons, and that's not why I started. I swam because I loved it and wanted to leave on my terms.' She added, 'I never swam for fame or pressure. I swam because I loved it. And now, as I figure out what comes next, I carry that same passion with me.' Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
2 days ago
- The Citizen
Serve, rally, connect: Saturday social brings players together
The sound of rackets striking balls and friendly banter fills the air each Saturday afternoon at the Wanderers tennis courts, where community spirit takes centre court. From 14:30 to 18:00, the club opens its doors to members and guests alike for its weekly Saturday social, a laid-back gathering that combines a love for tennis with good company. Read more: St Mary's School, Waverly tennis player reaches finals of the American Express Durban Super 8 Tournament Whether you're a seasoned player or just dusting off your racket for the first time in years, there's a place for you on the court. Typically, four courts come alive with mixed doubles matchups, drawing between 16 to 20 players of all skill levels. Jeffrey Solomon, one of the participants, said: 'The Saturday social is wonderfully run by Oliver Mayhew. He's fair and makes sure everyone gets a chance to play. He pairs people up really well, and you usually get in at least three to four sets. It's always a great time.' So, if you're keen to improve your game, meet new faces, or just enjoy a sunny afternoon outdoors, the Saturday social might be your perfect match. Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration!
