Centre Chiefs skeletons tumble
Sport
CHIEFS PRESIDENT: McLean Letshwiti is one of the cofounders of Mochudi Center Chiefs Limited registered in 1999
An intense battle is simmering behind Mochudi Centre Chiefs closed doors following the mysterious way in which the team registered two companies in a period of 15 years.
WeekendSport has established that the two documents are lying in the office of the Companies and Intellectual Properties Authority (CIPA) (formerly known as Registrar of Companies and Intellectual Properties (ROCIP); one known as Mochudi Centre Chiefs Limited as registered on the 10th of December 1999 while the other company is known as Mochudi Centre Chiefs (PTY) Limited and was registered on the 19 of May 2014.
The December 1999 Company is reported to own a piece of land (with title deed) and was co-founded by 12 members. Of the 12 members, this publication has managed to turn out at least four persons: Kgafela Kgafela, McLean Letshwiti, Matshidiso Kowa and Simon Mmopi. As for the 2014 company, no names are mentioned as a matter of fact, but is highly rumoured that both Ernest Molome and Tsheko Raymond are the minds behind it.
Following the realisation by the Companies Authority that they have been dealing with two entities which by law are supposed to be one thing, a communiqué was sent at the close of last year to both companies to sort themselves out before the Registrar uses its powers to solve the matter. Both companies had requested the Registrar to give them some time to deal with the matter but the Authority seemingly poured cold water over the request.
The letter from the Authority letter dated 12th December 2014, reads in part: “We regret to inform you that after some discussions and further consultation, your request to be given another three months to resolve the matter between Mochudi Center Chiefs Limited and Mochudi Center Chiefs (Pty) Ltd has been unsuccessful.
We therefore advice that you apply for a change of name, which if not done in 20 working days from the date of this letter, the Authority will change the company name as empowered by section 35.” In essence, the Authority will change the name of the second company.
Information though not boldly maintained, is that the second company directors have since appealed the Authority’s letter and if push comes to shove, the matter will now head to the courts of law. Several attempts to reach an official at Authority’s office, Boitumelo Ketshwerebothata, drew blanks as her direct line rang unanswered. She was to explain how it came about that the team registered two companies under their watch. But information coming from the Authority is that they have since admitted that they humanly erred.
As the matter awaits a painful verdict, another question springs forth as to whether the Kgatleng giants are deemed as a society club or a club wholly owned by a company. WeekendSport has intercepted yet another letter forwarded to the Companies and Intellectual Properties Authority dated November 11 2013, asking them to dissolve the society known as Mochudi Center Chiefs Sporting Club.
Upon receiving chiefs’ communication, the registrar then replied them on the 4th of December 2013 that they cannot allow them to dissolve the society unless they comply by submitting annual returns as from 2012 to 2013. According to the correspondence, Chiefs was given 90 days to comply or the request shall face disapproval as read in the societies act 18, section 7.
It happened that the request by Chiefs to dissolve a society hit a brick wall on March of 2014 and two months later the same group of people proceeded to registrar of companies to apply for a company name that has now set the fire burning inside their house. Attempts to reach Mc Lean Letshwiti were unsuccessful while Matshidiso Kowa refused altogether to furnish this publication with details.
However, Chiefs spokesperson Clifford Mogomotsi admitted that there is a case in relation with two companies but mentions that it is not yet for public consumption. “Yes this is an internal matter and we are still dealing with it. We will call all of you to give update once the matter is thoroughly dealt with,” he said.
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Mobile network Orange Botswana is committed to supporting the development of local sport. Through its sponsorship, the company will be able to promote and market the sport. According to Maano Masisi, the company believes that sport can unite people from different backgrounds.
He stated that through the sponsorship of the marathon, the company will help promote healthy lifestyles and unity among the people of Selebi Phikwe.
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Sport
AFRICA’S RECOVERY: Sports as game changer
The year 2022 witnessed unprecedented phenomena. Several Africans- Gotytom Gebreslase, Sharon Lokedi, Victor Kiplangat, Tamarit Tola and many others- swept the World’s marathons records.
However, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the resulting control measures implemented in several countries, led to many high-level sports competitions being cancelled or shelved, the Dakar 2022 Youth Olympic Games was moved to 2026.
Founder and Executive Chairman, African Sports and Creative Institute, Will Mabiakop, says the inability to hold traditional and amateur sports events have had a serious effect on public health overall, including mental health, sparking a revolution whereby athletes began to talk more openly about stress, mental overload and performance anxiety.
“Africa is home to the fastest growing economies before the crisis, no longer on track to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). COVID-19 deepened interdependence between SDGs, making them harder to achieve, especially SDG 10 (reducing inequality) and SDG 5 (gender equality_ as the pandemic had a disproportionate impact on poorer countries, and heavier burdens (such as care work) fell to women.”
Mabiakop stresses that as policymakers contemplate actions to speed up recovery and build resilience, they must argue that sports and creative businesses should play a central feature in this effort.
“The sports economy worldwide is estimated at 5% of GDP, but only 0.5% in Africa. If exploited, Africa’s sports and creative industries can offer policymakers innovative solutions. Especially, as regards job creation, and providing employment to the 15 million people entering the job market annually.”
HOW CAN THE INDUSTRY DO THIS?
By leveraging the two-for-one concept: past studies shown that a 1% growth in the economy delivers a 2% job increment in this sector (these ratios are calculated using data from 48 African countries and adjusted to the reality of the sports economy in Africa by the authors). There are between 30 and 50 job types, in sports and creative industries, respectively. These jobs do not fade away with the first major shock.
Mabiakop indicated that policymakers can use these industries to tackle multiple crises- jobs, poverty, and climate risks. Sports diplomacy- defined as communication, representation and negotiation in or through the prism of sports- has proven effective in building inclusive and cohesive societies. Moreover, sports and the creative industry can support better mental health and well-being, both important for productivity.
“Policymakers can also be true to the game by leveraging culture and tradition to celebrate identity and reap commercial value in sports, textiles and jewelry. Creative sectors allow deeper connection with culture, are not easily copied and provide great economic potential.”
He said supporting grassroots sports has powerful distributional effects. “Fortunately, technology has made reaching wide audiences easier, generating higher rates of success when talent is discovered.”
However, Mabiakop held that potential pitfalls must be highlighted. “First avoid build it and they will come policies with infrastructures denuded from the rest of the ecosystem. Like the many sports stadiums left largely unused.”
“Policymakers must remain mindful of how these sectors move the needle in human capital development. Also, align the requisite public policies needed for progress from grassroots participation to professional sports, and even to international sporting events. They should also support investment instruments to render these sectors performant.”