The festive season will be an exciting one for the local football industry as legendary South African football star, Doctor Khumalo, comes to town. Expected on Botswana soil on the 2nd of December, Khumalo, an icon to many Batswana growing up in the 90s, will be accompanied by his wife, Blanche Garises.
Popularly known as 16V during his glory days as star midfielder at Kaizer Chiefs, Khumalo is to engage in a number of sports related activities as well as undertake charity work from the 2nd until the 3rd of next month.
A local company, Sporthuis, has secured the image rights and services of the retired football star who started playing professional soccer in 1986.
Olebile Sikwane, Managing Director of Sporthuis, said that Khumalo was voted the most famous sportsman in Southern Africa according to a 2008 IPSOS Markinor survey. He said that his company aim in bringing Khumalo to Botswana is to, amongst other things, discuss and share the importance of sponsorship in sport.
“He is considered arguably the greatest South African player of all time, alongside Steve Mokone, Kaizer Motaung, Jomo Sono and Ace Ntsoelengoe,” said Sikwane. Khumalo is also expected to touch on the subject of the importance of the corporate world’s involvement in sport development and professionalism. Sporthuis wants 16V to share tips with local sports stars about how creating a brand from a sports career can attract product endorsements as well as address the idea of brand ambassadorship.
The ex-Kaizer Chiefs star will, within that duration, carry out charity work at a hospice in Ramotswa as well as mingle with and inspire aspiring kids in local football through coaching clinics.
The coaching clinics will be held around Gaborone. Sporthuis said that Khumalo will also, “tour Botswana and have a feel of the country and its tourism”.
Khumalo was a FIFA Soccer World Cup ambassador at the 2010 World Cup that was held in South-Africa in June. Sikwane said that Khumalo has also coached South African club Kaizer Chiefs and is currently working with the Kaizer Chiefs development side to unearth new talent, which in his opinion, makes him a great catch for Botswana.
