As the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) Southern Region Soccer League gears up for the pivotal elections this Saturday, a clarion call for transformation has been issued by one of the contenders for the Vice Chairman’s seat, Martin Mhlanga.
These elections, to be held at Bulawayo’s Rainbow Hotel at 09:00hrs, mark the final step in rebuilding ZIFA’s national structures after a period of stabilisation under a normalisation committee which stepped in after the lifting of Zimbabwe’s suspension from international football.
Mhlanga is entering a fiercely competitive race with a comprehensive manifesto aimed at fundamentally reshaping the league’s economic landscape. The elections present a critical choice for the region’s stakeholders after the ouster of the previous executive committee led by Andrew Tapela. Mhlanga is challenging the incumbent Vice Chairman, Tafadzwa Mutowa and Elton Sinyosi.
This electoral contest unfolds alongside a heated four-way battle for the Chairman’s position, where incumbent Lloyd Munhanga faces challenges from former Soccer Star of the Year Zenzo Moyo, administrator Tatenda Mtungwazi, and businessman Tawanda Tali.
In his campaign, Mhlanga articulates a vision that directly addresses the region’s current inflection point. He argues that the region’s rich talent and passion have been underserved and that this Saturday’s vote is a chance to close a turbulent chapter. “Football is no longer merely a pastime but a potent global industry and a vibrant cultural force that demands professional, business-like management,” he said.
His mission is to transform the Southern Region Soccer League into a commercially viable and exciting product that creates measurable value for every stakeholder, from club owners and players to the dedicated fans in the stands. Mhlanga’s candidacy is built upon a foundation of both football pedigree and professional expertise.
At 42, his life has been intertwined with the sport; he is the son of former footballer Chris Mhlanga from the 1960s and has himself served at the helm of several clubs, including Classic Luyando, Mosi Rovers, Vic Falls City Herentals, and currently, Zebra Revolution. His commitment to community football is further demonstrated through his organisation of the annual Hwange West Unity Cup.
Beyond the touchline, he brings eighteen years of strategic experience from the fuel and gas sector, backed by advanced academic qualifications in business leadership and management.
To realise this vision, Mhlanga proposes a concrete and actionable plan in his manifesto. “Sustainable funding must be cultivated through intelligent, localised partnerships. Clubs need to move beyond passive pleas for sponsorship to actively create value for business partners,” he said. “This means offering local shops, restaurants, and service providers, businesses that inherently benefit from the community, affordable, year-round partnership packages.
These would extend far beyond mere match-day banner visibility to include strategic promotion through social media, digital content, and community events, ensuring sponsors feel a continuous return on their investment.”
Mhlanga pledges to empower clubs directly through hands-on support. As Vice Chairman, he offers to facilitate workshops to train club officials in the professional solicitation and management of sponsorships. He emphasises the critical need for transparency and proper structure, advocating for clubs to develop their own vibrant marketing teams.
This groundwork of financial self-sufficiency and professional governance is presented as the essential foundation upon which broader goals can be reliably built, such as introducing significant prize money, enhancing media visibility, and targeting engagement with the Gen Z fanbase.
Winners of the SRSL have not received any prize money for a long time, a situation Mhlanga is determined to correct. His vision is centered on ensuring players are properly remunerated and can earn a living through football.
For board member positions, former normalisation committee member Sikhumbuzo Ndebele, current finance board member Tizirayi Luphahla, Prince Nyoni of Nkayi United, Lovemore Kuvheya and Tatenda Ncube are all seeking one of the four available slots.
