Sema Fonkem 14/07/2025
Swaziland (Eswatini) football club, Mbabane Highlanders announce South African Businesswoman and Philanthropist Shauwn Mkhize as their new president.
Founded in 1952, Mbabane Highlanders is one of the strongest clubs in Eswatini Premier League with 13 victories. The team has also won 7 Swazi cups, 5 Swazi Charity cups, 1 Swazi Trade Fair cup and 2 Bible cups.
The club has made 7 appearances at the African Cup of Champions Clubs, 4 at CAF Confederation Cup and 3 at the CAF Winners Cup.
Mkhize takes over from Bheki “Rubber” Simelane who finished an 18-month contract with the club.
This is the first time in African football history that a female from South Africa is appointed to lead a premier league team in another country.
Known for her Flamboyant lifestyle, Mkhize has rebranded Highlanders jersey by adding gold color to the original black and white to symbolise a new beginning with wealth, power and prestige. This also shows existing cohesion between Mkhize and the club’s staff members.
Before joining Highlanders, Mkhize was the owner South African Premier Soccer League (PSL) club Royal AM. Although Royal AM’s membership was terminated by PSL Board of Governors (BoG) due to unsettled issues, Mkhize continues to thrive with great passion to succeed in football business.
“A new chapter written with purpose, vision and heart. Leading with honour, Highlanders way.” said Mkhize in an Instagram post to celebrate her appointment.
Critique Africa 