Smiso Msomi
Betway Premiership side AmaZulu have established a new sponsorship connection with Amandla Mobile as well as Zungu Investments, replacing the recently departed Spar.
The two sponsors were revealed yesterday at a glittering event at Moses Mabhida attended by the likes of KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Sports, Arts and Culture Mntomuhle Khawula.
The Durban-based outfit had been depleted in terms of sponsorship after their 40-year-old relationship with Spar ended amicably while sleeve sponsor Grindrod also ended their four-year-old association with the club.
Usuthu president Sandile Zungu displayed immense gratitude for the MTN-supported telecommunications company’s decision to align itself with the club.
He went on to promise progress and development while looking forward to using the support of Amandla Mobile and his own company, Zungu Investments to take the club to greater heights.
“Our new sponsor, brought to you by MTN, have seen it fit to sponsor us; we’re very proud. And the Zungu Investments company, of which I’m chairman, have also seen it fit to sponsor us,” said Zungu.
“That demonstrates more than just commitment, absolute commitment to the well-being of AmaZulu Football Club.
“We may have had disappointments that we didn’t end where we wanted to be in the past couple of seasons, but we are confident that we will end where we want to be. Once we reach that milestone of achievements, we shall never look back. And the resources that we are getting from our proud sponsors will be put to good use.”
Amandla Mobile CEO Carl Motaung expressed his joy at having established a link with AmaZulu and went on to explain how the two bodies align.
“I’m the CEO of Amandla Mobile, a proudly black-owned mobile visual network that stands as a beacon to empower and innovate within the telecommunications industry,” he said at the event.
“In line with our commitment to driving economic transformation and empowering communities, Amandla happens to run on a leading network that is the best covered in the country: MTN. This sponsor(ship) signifies a milestone in Amandla’s journey towards creating a more inclusive and connected society.”
Usuthu also used the event as a platform to showcase their 2024/225 apparel for the first time while unveiling the club’s seven new signings.
The club unwrapped former Orlando Pirates defender Kwanda Mngonyama and the on-loan Mamelodi Sundowns duo of Luvuyo Phewa and Godspower Ighodaro.
Senzo “Mbhobho” Ndlovu, the 28-year-old striker, and Guinean-born winger Boniface Haba also joined the line-up, while the young duo of Leonardo Rooi and Thato Matli also signed for Usuthu but will immediately head out on loan.
Ndlovu promised his Durban-based cult following that he would not disappoint them after their contribution towards getting clubs to look at him in the ABC Motsepe League.
“I’m going to keep making them happy the same way I had been doing in the past because everything I’ve done was not coincidental, it’s working hard and taking things seriously all the time,” he said.