Sikwane speaks out after new Tanzania role
Chakalisa Dube | Saturday June 17, 2023 06:00
Mmegi Sport: Congratulations on your new appointment as Singida CEO. For starters, who is Sikwane in the football cycles?
Sikwane: I’m just an ambitious young man from Mochudi, whose dream while growing up in Selebi-Phikwe was to work for Kaizer Chiefs, the only club to whom I’ve been loyal.
When I went to high school in Cape Town, I made a deliberate decision to permanently settle there and hopefully end up at Naturena. It never worked out the way I had envisioned it, so I studied while I also pursued my passion which is journalism. I had been trained by Moeti Mohwasa, Mqondisi Dube and Monnakgotla Mojaki at The Mirror.
So, I was lucky to get a job at KickOff and later at Soccer Laduma. During this time, I was also writing for several papers in Botswana impressing a lot of people with my analysis, especially on how we could commercialise football.
This is as far back as 2003-2008. I made a lot of contacts during my journalism days which opened doors to the most supreme of football people, players and writers. So, I pursued law at university knowing very well that either I pursued club management like Sam Sono and Kaizer Motaung or become a very powerful agent like Pini Zuhavi.
So, my football foundation is pretty much premised on how Kaizer’s vision and much to do with Sam Sono who I grew up watching. I believe he is the finest football visionary of all time locally. I then joined Gaborone United as GM, went back to South Africa and joined Berlin Africa Sports in the debt collection space in terms of player solidarity fees and training and compensation. I came back and joined Maclean Letshwiti’s company Collection Africa/Credit Reference Bureau as CEO and later joined him at the BFA as head of competitions and operations.
Mmegi Sport: How did you end up at Singida?
Sikwane: As I said, the biggest thing you can ever get from journalism is networking. I have a very strong football network. My agent Rasthoem Simmons connected me with the owners of the team, when they looked at my resume, my age, and the articulation of my insight and knowledge, it was very simple.
Mmegi Sport: What does your role at Singida entail?
Sikwane: Singida is a project, quite ambitious. They just finished in the top four in the league and in the semis of the FA Cup. They qualify for the CAF Confederation Cup which requires me to demonstrate leadership in terms of CAF compliance. However, on top of this is the strategy that drives the vision of the owners and revenue generation for the club which would cement its place amongst the top four clubs in Tanzania. The other issue is to put structures in place and have a corporate office in Dodoma, closer to our base in Singida which is the owner’s hometown. Revenue generation means I must consistently engage all stakeholders, the FA, the sponsors and player recruitment and increase our visibility amongst our people. The team is looking to benefit from my contacts in Europe, South Africa and the Middle East. Already we are going to Tunisia for pre-season. That is the role of the CEO to open doors but also make sure that there is sustainability in terms of finances looking into the future.
Mmegi Sport: How would you describe the Tanzanian Premier League as compared to the BFL? What are the lessons you think the BLF can learn from the Tanzanian league?
Sikwane: The Tanzanian league is intense; it’s big in terms of support and attendance. They are ranked amongst the top five leagues in Africa.
More money, more numbers in the seats, top players across Africa and Brazilians are here too. You see top coaches from Holland, Uganda, Morocco and Tunisia here. So the level differences between Tanzania and Botswana are huge, especially between the top four clubs of both countries. The investors mean it when they come to clubs, they put in serious money and expect serious returns. My problem is the influx of investors in Botswana football, who are generally not genuine. The sad thing is that the people they deal with at club level are either cynical or hungry. As long as they milk the investor on a personal basis, the club suddenly no longer matters. It’s a parasitic behaviour which never lasts as seen lately.
Mmegi Sport: There is speculation that you were pushed out from your job at Lekidi Football Centre. Can you shed clarity on that?
Sikwane: Ah, my brother! Me forced out? Go ask the man at the gate at the BFA, the tea lady, up to the president. You cannot force me out. To be fair to the BFA, they were very excited, nostalgic even. The move also somehow makes them look good because I was part of that family. I learnt a lot and made lots of friends there. They cannot force me out and write such a beautiful statement. Can they?
Mmegi Sport: How would you sum up your stay at Lekidi?
Sikwane: My stay at the BFA was more about how federations work. I had been outside, now I know. With my 18 years of experience in football, it was important to understand the dynamics, especially the relationship between the board and staff, such an interesting paradox there. I think we need to do like Malta, lessen the board’s control of staff.
I experienced everyday challenges. The support of my colleagues, all of them, especially Pilara Olebile and Ishmael Tasebolai, amazing talent. Watch out for these two. These two will go to Saudi Arabia or South Africa, they won’t come to Tanzania. Mmegi Sport: You have been heavily linked with the position of executive manager at BFL (to understudy the current CEO), would you consider taking over the post if approached?
Sikwane: I have been unambiguous that I want to be CEO of the Premier League. Not the CEO of the BFA. I come from the corporate world, so I find the BFL more fascinating. I like the weekly action there. So, when Senzo Mbatha leaves in two years or so, count me in.
Mmegi Sport: You were previously linked with clubs in the PSL and Middle East. Did you receive bids from the respective clubs, or it was just mere speculation?
Sikwane: No man. It’s Tsholo Sethoko at the BFA who said so and that made it on Fundi’s Facebook page (Botswana Football), probably prophesying something. You know I think she’s the one deserving of that move, an exceptional talent Tsholo.Mmegi Sport: Why do you seem like you are a nomad? You were previously at GU where you did not last, you then joined Mochudi Centre Chief where you lasted for a year. You would then join the BFA but left after approximately a year.
Sikwane: The truth is that it’s the nature of the industry now. The maximum you can get is three years. So if Pitso Mosimane moves from Ahl Ahly stays home for four months then goes to Saudi for nine months, winning big, and moving on, that’s not nomadic. It’s more often than not ambition or issues of growth, or clash of direction.
I was CEO for three years at Collection Africa. I was with Sunday Standard for seven years, Soccer Laduma six years, KickOff more than three years. We are young and ambitious my brother we move with the ball but still contribute significantly within short period of time.
Mmegi Sport: What are your long-term ambitions as a football administrator? Sikwane: My ambition is to become a fully-fledged respectable football administrator of integrity who defies the myth that football is for people without education. I want to work at the highest level and make meaningful contribution like Sam Sono and Ashford Mamelodi.
Mmegi Sport: Lastly, what is your advice to other administrators who want to penetrate the international market but find it difficult to navigate past the barriers of entry?
Sikwane: My brother and sister be humble, continue studying do not steal money from anyone, just study, and avoid favours that are not sustainable. Be patient. The biggest problem with football people is money, gate takings, which delays their thinking.
I am above all that, that’s why my investment is exclusively education and building relationships. I say study French or Portuguese, travel and make friends, God will answer you.