shloboe boe
Fungai Muderere, fungai.muderere@bmetro.co.zw
HIGHLANDERS chairman Kenneth Mhlophe yesterday revealed the mysterious departure of the original investor in the club’s car wash business.
The venture, located at the Highlanders clubhouse, was meant to be a significant revenue stream for the Bulawayo football giants.
According to Mhlophe, the investor left without notifying the club, and his employees continued to run the business.
After investigating, the Bosso executive decided to take over the business, but due to the club’s unpreparedness, they allowed the employees to temporarily manage the car wash, paying US$200 per month.
However, financial statements presented by club treasurer Israel Moyo at the annual general meeting (AGM) last year showed that the car wash generated a mere US$50 in revenue for the entire year.
This revelation stunned Bosso members, considering that the business operates daily.
Car wash charges vary per vehicle for body wash, interior and exterior wipe down, interior vacuum, tyre shine, dashboard polish, engine wash and body waxing, among others.
Mhlophe attributed the low revenue to the absence of a formal agreement with the car wash operator, Clifford Ncube.
He assured that the club is now taking steps to rectify the situation.
In other developments, Mhlophe disclosed that the Highlanders Sports Club, run under a consultancy arrangement since early 2023, is subject to review by the end of March. He said the clubhouse’s kitchen arrangement is also subject to review.
This agreement includes a profit-sharing model which is expected to benefit Bosso significantly, especially given the club’s large membership and fan base.
Mhlophe expressed his hope that the club’s diaspora membership would soon be able to connect and participate in gatherings virtually. He noted that members have been organising themselves into various chapters, united by their loyalty to Highlanders.
“Our members continue to organise themselves into various chapters that are influential largely by geographical settlements, be it in cities, towns or countries. In all the situations, the common denominator is simply Highlanders. I hope that in the not-so-distant future, our membership in the diaspora will connect and be a part of such gatherings via virtual means,” said Mhlophe. — @FungaiMuderere
