In their own words: Emmett Ndlovu.

eDiski: Hello Mr Ndlovu.

Emmett: Hie Soccer Diski.

e-Diski: Long time. How is life and family?

Emmett: Sure. Well thanks. My family is ok.

e-Diski: Tell me more about them.

Emmett: Oh, yes.  I have a wife and was blessed with 3 boys and a cute girl.

e-Diski: What are you doing now?

Emmett: Currently not active in football.

e-Diski: So what do you do now?

Emmett: I'm into sportswear distribution and part time farming, especially cattle breeding.

e-Diski: What was your last post/position in football?

Emmett: I was Bantu Rovers General Manager.

e-Diski: And before that?

Emmett: I was the last Acting Bosso CEO doubling up as Team Manager.

e-Diski: How do you think you fared?

Emmett:  As Bosso manager, we won the championship on my 1st year in 2007, and then we were runners up 2008.

e-Diski: That was the highlights of your tenure?

Emmett: No doubt.

e-Diski: Things were different at Tshintsha Guluva ….

Emmett: Of course but at Bantu Rovers l helped the team survive relegation in 2010.

e-Diski: Which was great. If you got the same posts back, what would you do different?

Emmett: Do more PR (public relations) and try to look beyond the playing part of the game. I would work on the harmonization of all structures and stakeholders to help the institution to grow.

e-Diski: What do you think of the incumbent office bearers?

Emmett: My belief is that ‘kusinwa kudedelwana.’

e-Diski: Meaning?

Emmett:  We all must give all our support to the guys in office now until the button stick is handed over, but l strongly believe one day, if given a chance, l'll prove to be one of the best administrators because of my 20 years of being involved in football matters in various roles.

e-Diski: What do you think the organisation needs to be a better entity?

e-Diski: What role do you think you can play in the current set-up?

Emmet: My door is open if anyone thinks I can be useful to them, anytime.

e-Diski: What is your next move?

Emmett: Like I said, I am making myself available for the utilisation of my experience under different leaderships and economic environments.

e-Diski: What do you think other people can do to help the organisation?

Emmett: They are doing well under the circumstances but I believe they can do much better.

e-Diski: What was your memorable moment?

Emmett: As I said, I will always cherish winning the championship on my first year as Bosso manager.

e-Diski: What was the regrettable moment?

Emmett: How l was left out of that great institution when l wasn't feeling well.

e-Diski: What did you do?

Emmett: l moved over to Bantu to earn a living. I was viewed as a traitor and people never got to know the truth.

e-Diski: What was the truth?

Emmett: For the respect of fellow football professionals, I will skip that one.

e-Diski: Fair enough. Who were your best people to work with?

Emmett: On the technical side, it was (Ernest) Maphepha as manager and Rahman as coach. Eish, what a team ... oh by the way, the late Benjie (Moyo) as well as Tse at some stage. That team was a machine. I was the Bosso physio then, and wow!

e-Diski: Hahaha, I’m glad I am on your list, thanks. Who was your toughest challenge?

Emmett: Too many administrative boobies and red tape.

e-Diski: What do you think of the football today?

Emmett: The money is there because there are sponsors. I don't see why we should fail.

e-Diski: Which is the best football team at the moment?

Emmett: Currently Barcelona is the best team.

e-Diski: Are you a Catalan?

Emmett: Oh no.  I support Real Madrid in Spain and Liverpool in the UK, but Barca are just good.

e-Diski: Mmm, that’s sportsmanship. Who is the best player?

Emmett: Lionel Messi, no doubt.

e-Diski: What music do you listen to?

Emmett: Gospel music and nothing else.

e-Diski: Which is your favourite movie?

Emmett: No movies. I don’t believe in fiction. I would rather read my Holy Bible.

e-Diski: Wow. Emms thanks very much for your time and chat, and may God bless.

Emmett: Thank you for your talking to me. Be blessed always.

Emmett Ndlovu was always useful to Highlanders and the national teams of Zimbabwe over extended periods of time spurning over twenty years in different roles. He mainly assumed medical roles but showed leadership qualities as Acting Chief Executive Officer of Tshilamoya and General Manager of Bantu Rovers. Football politics tempered with his potential growth in the game and he hopes to shake it off and play an effective role in the near future. He is a God fearing man.  

Emmett Ndlovu election manifesto

Emmett Ndlovu, in his election manifesto expresses the for the "continued existence, sustenance and vision" of the Highlanders Football Club, which he says "has relied heavily on its roots, history and the principle and culture of “UBUNTU”"

He continues by saying "It is in recognition of the above that l once again present myself to the club for service having time and again worked for the club since 1991 ,a feat that has called for dedication and commitment to the club." Ndlovu goes on to humbly look forward to "the prospect of becoming the next Executive Secretary of this great institution."

Born 45 years ago in Bethesda Mission, Victoria Falls, Chief Mvuthu is married and has three sons and a daughter, the former team doctor and manager is a Christian and holds Bachelor of Science in Physical Education & Sports obtained in 2007 and a Medical Rehabilitation qualification of 1989.


In his work background, he listed the following; "1990-1994 Mpilo Hospital Physio Department, 1995-1999 Zoe Brest Physio Clinic, 2000-2008 Highlanders F. C, 2011 to date Assistant Manager – Forever Living Products."


That list is complemented by his football related work as in "1991 - Started working for Bosso treating players, 1992 Appointed Team Medic, 1993 - Attained FIFA sports injuries management certificate, 1994 - First assignment and attachment to the Zimbabwe National U20 soccer team, - 1996 Seconded to the National U23 soccer team, 1997 - Committee Member – ZIFA Sports Medicine committee, 2000 - Attained CAF Sports injuries management certificate, 2000 - Attained Level One Soccer Coaching certificate, 2001 - Appointed to the Senior National Soccer team (Warriors) as Team Medic and participated in several tournaments locally, regionally and internationally."


In 2004 he represented Zimbabwe at the Cup of Nations in Tunisia being part of the medical team and did the same in 2005 when he won Gold in the COSAFA Castle Cup in South Africa. He was appointed Team Manager of Highlanders F.C winning the championship in 2006 under Methembe Ndlovu.


The 2007-2008 period saw him being the Administration and Enterprise Manager and Team Manager when Bosso were League Runners up. He was 2009 General Manager at Bantu Rovers F.C in 2009.

He describes himself as a self-starter and a relentless hard-worker who achieves set targets. He describes his effective communication skills both in writing and verbally "with the ability to proffer meaningful ideas and accommodate constructive views."


"A natural leader who can work under pressure and dovetail with hierarchical levels of the club 's institution, a natural winner endowed with an insatiable desire to succeed and acquire more knowledge and a team player with a purposeful and focused outlook", reads the manifesto.

He goes on to describe a unique self as an individual privileged to have worked with various leaderships, managers and coaches "in my football career both at club and national levels" thus qualified to "consequently have over a long period of time, acquired sufficient administrative and interpersonal skills that effectively qualify me for the post of Secretary at Highlanders F.C ."


"My complete and total understanding of football players' needs, wishes, pressures, successes, failures, frustrations, expectations and dreams has its origins in the many seasons that I have worked with players at various levels, inter alia, promoting their welfare, negotiation of players' contracts, renewal or extensions as well as taking care of their treatment", elaborates Ndlovu.

He said, "One of the critical duties of a Secretary at Highlanders FC is to keep records of players, their contracts and ensure timeous renewal of such contracts and registration of players with the appropriate bodies . I SHALL NOT DISAPPOINT ."


He goes on to pledge "to promote and leave a legacy of securing players’ future after their playing days, nurture home-grown talent/players and to adhere to the club’s desire to have players signing long-term contracts and to sell those whose contracts cannot be extended for whatever reason."


The straight forward and tough talk manifesto goes on about how Highlanders brand of football should be promoted in order to create entertainment and "woe back the Bosso family multitudes back to EMAGUMENI !"


There is a declaration to "maintain a professional and open door policy" as the team belongs to the people who must have access to appropriate as well as relevant information timeously and periodically as major stakeholders.


It expresses the need "to promote strategic plans that will translate into reality the dream of being a dynamic world-class sporting institution for centuries to come, and to work towards promoting the battered image of the club in a bid to take it where it belongs “ON TOP”".


According to Ndlovu, revamping supporters groups to exploit the Highlanders FC brand to its fullest and maintaining good relationships with sponsors, media/press "including all stake holders such as members, supporters, former players and sympathisers" will be his agenda.

He also wants to maintain good relationship with all sporting bodies especially other soccer clubs, PSL, ZIFA and SRC and to look at improving and further enhancing the overall performance of the club. "There is need for a paradigm shift in a number of administrative aspects in order to improve the quality of our football at Highlanders F.C .", he said.

Furthermore, he stresses that football is a team sport, "and as such there is need to involve all stake holders in its development.

There is need to identify talent within our region and all other areas where the Bosso family is scattered prior to reaching far afield."

Suitably qualified former players and supporters should be used in talent identification,according to the manifesto Ndlovu made public on social sites, adding that the club must create employment for "our children".

In his conclusion, he assures that having "our past as the Highlanders institution being gained or lost forever" the future of our club is not "yet ours but will be decided through your vote which should be for prosperity, progress and development."

As the time to decide the destiny of the club for the next three years, pleaded to all to use their votes well and wisely "in order to resuscitate and rekindle our club which is currently in the “INTENSIVE CARE UNIT”"

As he putting it, Highlanders is now "an enviable laughing-stock", emphasising that winning the election will not be an end in itself but a means to an end "which is the beginning of an era of hard work to bring back the glory days to the success starved Bosso community."


Tell us what you think.

Highlanders to change hands?

There is one man who has seen a record number of Administrations in his colourful Highlanders career, the bad and the best. He poured himself out selflessly to the cause of the club in times when no-one was paid a cent and sacrificed to see there was food at camp for players. 

He kept the flow of Executives smooth in most transition as elections came and went, not because it was his business, his blood is black and white and his love symbol is not a cupid's red heart with an arrow across, but a black and white shield with a spear and club in the form of a capital X and a black and white ball in the middle.

Talking of balls, Highlanders need balls, lots of balls. Big balls. The year 2012 can be remembered as a time of great pleasure and satisfaction ice sugared with success of trophies and championships or just as a lousy continuation of a heartbreaking 2011 where the former giants, Highlanders Football Club, were a door mat to very Jack and Jill of football.

That contrast can only be drawn after the month-end's Executive elections scheduled for the traditional last Sunday of the first month of the year, January 29. To date, the incumbent Chairman, Themba Ndlela is being challenged by Mandla Moyo while Emmett Ndlovu will be looking to take on Andrew Tapela for the Secretary General's post.

On paper, voters have raised concerns about how badly they think the club had been run, but that is not voting. Complaints do not change office bearers and those in the seats are better equipped to stay put than those trying to make the change.

Asked about his chances to unseat Tapela, Emmett made it clear that his presence as an option was the will of the people and that change will only result in the translating of discontent into votes on the 29th. He expressed his gratitude of being chosen to represent the people who are looking to bring back the lost Bosso home. While not contesting for the Chairmanship, and while he cannot make the change single handedly, if there is a man who knows his story, he is the one. 

Emmett Ndlovu is one of the longest-serving members of Tshilamoya, having been the Team Doctor from the early 1990s after the departure of Dr Vic Naik. He saw Highlanders at its worst, having to leave his medical kit and go door to door seeking for donations for the team to camp for league matches.

Ndlovu was with the team at its best moments when they transformed into a Bossolona machine that swept all trophies and Cups. He was involved with Under-23 and senior Zimbabwe national teams over the years. There is not doubt over his understanding of both club culture and operation. More importantly, he has been exposed to potential connections that the clubs may need.

In any case, his involvement at that level is long overdue and hopefully, the club will not have to wait any longer for his services. Not to say that Tapela was incapable. Together with Ndlela as a team, they have done a sterling job and did their best to bring the team to where it is. It is unAfrican to throw in the towel, but with all the discords from outside, voters may be thinking that Highlanders belong to a different level.

At their best, there has not been anything to write home about. Potential sponsors have not been encouraged by team performance or club management. 

Ndlela and Tapela, among the rest of the executive, will be the first to admit that they Bosso is not where they belong and all fans want it where the team belongs and new sources of strength have to be found if there would be change. As Sir Isaac Newton once said, ''Things that are at rest shall remain in that state of rest, and those in constant  motion, in that state of constant motion until a resultant force acts upon them.'' Bosso are in a state of constant spiral downwards, and you the voter is that resultant force, if you go out there and vote.