This was back in 2021, when she bought Bloemfontein Celtics allegedly for R50 million and renamed it Royal AM after she had sold the club’s initial GladAfrica Championship status to Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila granting her PSL status for her newly acquired team.
In the past, Mam’Mkhize had not conducted in-depth interviews as the president of the soccer team in terms of the ownership and internal politics of the team. However, she recently conducted an in-depth interview with Metro FM’s Andile Ncube on his sports show Sports Night Amplified answering some of the burning questions about her soccer team.
Shauwn Mkhize defends son, Andile’s soccer skills
One of the biggest criticisms over Royal AM is directed at its chairman and star player, Andile Mpisane. This is as many believe that Andile would not be in the team’s first line-up if his mother did not own the team. As reported at the time:
You might have picked up that Andile Mpisane has been trending since the weekend. If you are confused about the actual reason he’s trending, don’t worry we’ll fill you in. By now you should know that Andile Mpisane is the Chairman of Royal AM and also the club captain.
He does feature in games from time to time although he looks unfit. Whenever he does get onto the field, Mpisane tends to showboat and doesn’t look that concerned about the overall performance of the team. Over the weekend he attempted to demonstrate some skills which fans found hilarious.
Andile Mpisane. Is like, "why me? Do you have a problem with me? Didn't mom give you a raise? I'll tell mom to fire you" 🤣🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/FjSwarDwkU
But in her interview with Andile, Mam’Mlhize came to the defence of her son. This is as she seemed to suggest that Andile was “headhunted” for Royal AM as she explained that:
“Andile was playing for AmaZulu, long before… Yes, on its development stage. He wouldn’t have entered AmaZulu if he didn’t have talent. If you look at the people that scout for people who play for AmaZulu, they only look for talent. Andile at his youngest age was already playing for AmaZulu. So he would have (qualified)...”
Does Mamkhize think Chairman Andile Mpisane is a good player ? Would he play if he didn’t own the team ? pic.twitter.com/3wiMtFVGiy
Moreover, she addressed the ownership of Royal AM. This is as when Mam’Mkhize purchased Bloemfontein Celtics to earn a spot in the PSL, it was believed that she could not own two teams as Royal AM formerly known as Royal Eagles was still owned by her and her former husband Sbu Mpisane.
As such, she attempted to clarify who owns the team now. But failed, as she first suggested it was initially owned by her sister during the legal battle of 2021, then going on to suggest that the ownership was reverted back to her. But she then backtracked again when she went on to explain that:
“Royal AM (owns the team). It’s owned by Royal AMC (laughs)... There can’t be a person (who owns the teams), there can only be a trust. It’s owned by the trust.” A stance which many questioned whether or not it makes sense.
