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Skhumbuzo Moyo

EVERY employee the world over wants to be secure at his or her work place. We all want to be certain about our future so that, naturally, we plan well with peace of mind. That’s how the world goes and no one does not want to have a secure future or at the least to know what his position regarding his employment is.

This is the reason why I am fully behind Warriors’ coach Callisto Pasuwa demanding a contract from his employers Zifa. He wants that document because he, like every worker, wants to plan for his future. He wants to know what the future holds for him instead of just working in the dark without any documentation to show that he has a relationship with his employer.

While a verbal contract holds, it’s not something that can bring one peace of mind. A contract in black and white clearly spells out the two parties’ obligations, which if not met can be challenged in any court.

So Zifa must play ball and give the man his contract.

However, where I totally disagree with Pasuwa and his handlers is when they make unrealistic and outrageous demands in their pursuit of peace of mind.

A salary of $7,000 per month for a national team coach in a vibrant economy is realistic if not a bit too little. Such a salary from an organisation enjoying massive corporate support is indeed affordable.

However, such a salary is unrealistic and unaffordable in an economy such as ours and from a sponsor-less employer like Zifa. It is not only naïve but also childish to compare the $7,000 salary demands to what some Premier Soccer League coaches in the country earn.

I will not go through the pain of asking who in this league pays a coach such an ungodly salary because I know for certain there is no club that pays that much.

I, however, want to touch on the subject of comparison between club and national team coaches. Club football is a pressure job where a coach works week in and week out for a minimum of 30 games per season, while a national team coach can have about five games per year if there are no tournaments. Of those five games, they can be three months apart, meaning he will be earning $7,000 for literally doing nothing.

So Pasuwa and his handlers must not abuse Zifa’s benefactor Wicknell Chivayo and Zifa president Phillip Chiyangwa. Chivayo’s benevolence to Zifa must not be mistaken for anything.

People must not think that since we now have someone that can pour $1 million from his pocket into Zifa, we can therefore milk him willy-nilly.

No! It’s wrong to view business from that angle. Chivayo has bought Pasuwa a $69,000 car, his $11,000 allowance arrears have been cleared in a space of under two months.

Surely the man must show some appreciation for goodness’ sake. It must click in his head that perhaps more could be coming so some patience would do the trick.

I appreciate that Pasuwa has been one of the most patriotic sports personalities in the country in recent years, but that does not give him the passport to hold the nation and Zifa to ransom.

A three-year contract at $7,000 in an economy like ours just does not wash. Maybe if he wins the African Nations Championship (Chan) and takes us to the African Nations finals can he then start asking for a different contract. For now, he is just like any previous national team coach.

He did wonders at Dynamos, no doubt about that, and his record is likely to stay for a very long time, but at national team level, Pasuwa is still Callisto, not King Khali.

Now that the build-up to the Chan is over, focus will be on the team’s performance. That is what will be on many newspapers’ back pages, but certainly not the only subject.

Another interesting chapter is already in motion in Bulawayo. Yes, you guessed it right, the Highlanders’ elections! Two positions are up for grabs, the vice-chairmanship and the treasurer’s posts held by Mgcini Sibhalo Mpofu and Donald Ndebele respectively.

After the general elections, one can argue that Highlanders’ elections are the next big thing in the country, never mind the recent Zifa elections because of the grand entry and eventual victory by flamboyant businessman Chiyangwa.

Between now and the election date on February 7, the Highlanders’ membership will go through very interesting times. Some will enjoy a number of freebies, especially in the form of those waters that make us cleverer and even better boxers than the legendary Mike Tyson.

The Highlanders’ Club House will suddenly become a hive of activity with members and supporters thronging the place, all promising every candidate a vote.

One candidate Morden Ngwenya officially launched his campaign via a press conference at Queens Sports Club on Thursday evening. He has already ignited talk with his claim that money is in Harare and his location there will help unlock funds for the team.

Whether that is true or not is anybody’s guess, but the man sounds very confident. He loves his team and never missed a match last season. That I can vouch for him as well. I cannot, however, take a bullet for his promise that he will unlock funds for the team because he is based in Harare.

It is, however, election season for Highlanders and one can feel the euphoria and excitement.

City businessman and philanthropist, retired colonel Kenneth Mhlophe, who runs Nokel Security, is also gunning for the same post as Ngwenya and so is the incumbent Mgcini Sibhalo Mpofu.

Treasurer Donald Ndebele is also set to seek re-election and so far no one else has shown interest in that position.

But until midday on January 23 when nominations officially close, speculation on who is running for what will continue.

These are indeed interesting times at Highlanders.

Lets chat:
Facebook: Sikhumbuzo Moyo Sithole
Twitter: @skhumoyo2000
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Email: [email protected]