Swazi Observer

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BISHOP LUKHELE’S COVID-19 MESSAGE

By Sibusiso Masilela | 2020-04-03

SOCCER - MBABANE Swallows President Arch-Bishop Bheki Lukhele has released an audio message that carries precautionary measures following the outbreak of the coronavirus in the country.

The popular man of the cloth and businessman has since encouraged his team’s supporters and the local football fraternity to follow the necessary precautions in order to prevent the spread of the COVID-19.

This was done possible through an audio recording, which was released by the club’s production team yesterday afternoon.

“We have been attacked by a mysterious flue that has also affected the whole world, and government took the responsibility to fight the flue. Let us all follow the guidelines and precautions that have been placed to prevent the spread of the virus and further eat healthy food. By so doing, we will be showing love to our country, King and football. It would be good to see each and every one soon in local stadiums looking healthy and fit after we have found a solution to this flue,” Bishop Lukhele said.

Meanwhile, the club’s Marketing and Communications Officer Manqoba Mabuza said the team was concerned about the outbreak of the virus in the country. “As Mbabane Swallows Football Club, we are concerned about the outbreak of COVID-19. In response, and guided by government authorities, we are also implementing our internal Crisis Management Policy and Plan in the club. “Accordingly, our club president has released an audio recording, calling upon all our players, supporters and the general public to heed to the advices from government and take the necessary precautions against the virus.

We welcome the message of the president, and we also thank him for showing great leadership skills during these trying times. He continues to provide for the team and to lead it diligently.

We are really lucky to have a leader of his calibre,” said Mabuza. The outbreak of the coronavirus has resulted in the suspension of all sporting activities in the country, which began a few weeks ago, and a decision on the way forward will be taken at the end of the on-going partial lockdown.

The likeable All Nations Church in Zion leader Arch-bishop Lukhele took over the running of the team last year from the wife of the dearly departed director Victor ‘Maradona’ Gamedze, Princess Lungile, and some people will know him for making headlines for splashing cash incentives to Swallows players.

The most recent one was when Lukhele gave each player E3 000 bonuses on top of their full monthly salaries in order to cushion them during the difficult COVID-19 outbreak. Some commentators labelled this as unheard of while other teams are struggling to pay their players’ salaries, let alone providing essentials like food in the club-houses.

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