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The South African
17-07-2025
- Business
- The South African
Shauwn 'MaMkhize' Mkhize says SORRY to Bloemfontein Celtic fans
Businesswoman and controversial football club owner Shauwn 'MaMkhize' Mkhize has publicly apologised to Bloemfontein Celtic supporters, nearly four years after purchasing and relocating the club to KwaZulu-Natal in a move that effectively erased its presence from South African football. In an interview on Metro FM, MaMkhize expressed regret for her handling of the 2021 acquisition of Bloemfontein Celtic – which she rebranded to Royal AM – a decision that left the club's passionate Siwelele fanbase devastated. 'I sincerely apologise to its supporters for the name change; I could have done better. I could have done as I did now,' said MaMkhize. 'I told myself that I would not change the name of the team that was founded in 1952.' The apology comes on the heels of Royal AM's expulsion from the Premier Soccer League (PSL) during the 2024/25 season, following repeated failure to honour fixtures. Adding to the controversy, the Pretoria High Court recently ruled that the PSL had long had the right to expel Royal AM, even before the match no-shows. The ruling cited unauthorised transfer of shares and false information provided in the club's original PSL membership application. On Saturday, MaMkhize was announced as the new president of Eswatini giants Mbabane Highlanders, a team with deep roots in southern African football, dating back to 1969. Under her leadership, the team has been renamed Mbabane Highlanders AM FC, and will now sport black kits with golden accents, a break from the club's traditional black-and-white identity. Despite the changes, MaMkhize has promised to preserve the legacy and soul of the club. 'When you look at Mbabane Highlanders, it is structured similarly to Bloemfontein Celtic. The team has committees, a history, and a large fanbase. I felt it was inappropriate to break their hearts,' she said. 'I'm just putting something in place that will represent me and my son, but that will still allow the people who love Mbabane Highlanders to continue seeing it as the team they know.' Despite the fanfare around the Highlanders takeover, critics remain sceptical of MaMkhize's motivations. Questions have emerged over whether the move is a genuine effort to stay involved in football or another high-profile display of power. Last season, Mbabane Highlanders finished eighth in the Swazi MTN Premier League – a modest showing for a club with championship ambitions. It remains to be seen whether MaMkhize's influence can turn around their fortunes on the pitch while maintaining the respect of a loyal fanbase. 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.
IOL News
16-07-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
MaMkhize apologises to Bloemfontein Celtic fans as she rebrands Eswatini team
SHAUWN Mkhize's intentions in football remain questionable as she moves to the Eswatini league with the AM rebranding. | BackpagePix That because the court found out that Royal AM had provided incorrect information in there PSL membership application, and underwent unauthorised transfer of shares. Recently the Pretoria High Court ruled that the the PSL had actually long been at at liberty to expel Royal AM even before last season's inability to honour their fixtures. In 2025 Royal AM were expelled from the Premier Soccer League (PSL) midway through the 2024/25 season due to failure to play their matches. In 2021, MaMkhize purchased the team that was based in Bloemfontein, and she rebranded it to Royal AM and relocated it to KwaZulu-Natal - leaving the passionate Siwelele fans heartbroken and clubless. CONTROVERSIAL Royal AM owner Shauwn "MaMkhize" Mkhize has issued an apology to Bloemfontein Celtic fans for the dissolution of the historic football team when she bought it's status in 2021. On Saturday, MaMkhize was announced as the new president of the Eswatini team, Mbabane Highlanders. The team will now be known as Mbabane Highlanders AM FC, and its previous black and white colours have been changed to black with golden accents. MaMkhize expressed a desire to honour the legacy of the team, which was founded in 1969, during her takeover. 'I think Bloemfontein Celtic suffered due to difficult circumstances. I sincerely apologise to its supporters for the name change; I could have done better. I could have done as I did now, as I told myself that I would not change the name of the team that was founded in 1952,' MaMkhize said in an interview with Sports Amplified on Metro FM. 'When you look at Mbabane Highlanders, it is structured similarly to Bloemfontein Celtic. The team has committees, a history, and a large fanbase. I felt it was inappropriate to break their hearts. 'I'm just putting something in place that will represent me and my son, but that will still allow the people who love Mbabane Highlanders to continue seeing it as the team they know.' MaMkhize went on to say that she does not see her son, Andile, continuing to play for the Highlanders as he did at Thwihli Thwahla, where he wore the number 10 jersey. 'Andile wants to get more involved in the management of the team now. Even when Royal AM was still around, he was starting to focus on team management issues. "I think what he wanted was to play at a higher level, which he has now tasted. At the moment, I see that he prefers to be part of the team management,' MaMkhize said. Last season, the Highlanders finished in eighth place in the Swazi MTN Premier League. Mkhize's intentions to buy Highlanders, though, still remains questionable as to whether she is driven by passion to remain involved in football or it is merely just a show off of resistance.
