The Sunday Mail
Phillip Chiyangwa
“I am a Zimbabwean, have the qualifications hence I’m in the race. I don’t live in a cocoon, a small little vessel sailing on its own, destined for nowhere”
Phillip Chiyangwa – Picture by Kudakwashe Hunda
A QUESTION I’m being asked a lot since announcing my intention to run for Zifa president on December 5 is” “PC why are you doing this?”
These people – political, business colleagues as well as close friends and family – know that my plate is full already and are surprised that PC is ready to add another tough task onto the menu.
My answer to these people has been simple, straight forward and consistent.
I will repeat it.
Zifa has a vacancy for president and any Zimbabwean, provided that they have the qualifications, is free to get into the race.
I am a Zimbabwean, have the qualifications hence I’m in the race. I don’t live in a cocoon, a small little vessel sailing on its own, destined for nowhere.
I look around and see what is happening in South Africa we have Danny Jordaan and Tokyo Sexwale who have business and political backgrounds but are also involved in football administration.
So what is new about PC seeking to be Zifa president?
If there is anyone who feels they can serve Zifa better let them get into the race as well.
PC is in this race for the long haul, even if I lose this election you will still see me supporting soccer and maybe coming back to contest for the elections again in 2018.
If you don’t act when Zifa is going down you are in complicit with what is happening, ndiwe wakare wauraya.
Why shouldn’t we act when our football is going down?
Right now what we are doing is Mickey Mouse business, tikutamba chikweshe, when football is a multibillion dollar industry.
We have to do this for our game.
It’s not about PC alone, even if I become Zifa president it won’t be my show but a team effort…I won’t take my money and pump it into the organisation so that I am viewed as a Messiah.
The US$6 million debt that Zifa has needs to be serviced and one of the first things I will do is institute a forensic audit so that we clean those books.
Without cleaning those books no one will partner Zifa. Fifa will not give us what is due to us as well so that one is of paramount importance.
We need to do things right.
We cannot continue to have a situation where this organisation survives on hand outs and I believe PC has the wherewithal to get Zifa into the clean in the two years he will be in office.
Some have questioned if I will stick to the two-year pledge and here I am putting it on record: Farai Jere will be the Zifa president after me. In 2018 I will leave and my young brother will take over.
Getting Farai to step aside and back my bid did not take more than five minutes, we have come a long way – I, Farai and Twine Phiri, we were in the same Caps camp together.
I was the first one to be approached by the same campaigners who approached Farai but decided not to make my position known until I had consulted fully.
The consequence of that made me take my time in reverting to the same guys who were now thinking I am not keen.
But then I said am interested.
So I went to Farai and said, “Farai wait, let them finish with me first.”
So here I am in the Zifa race.
The decision to run has shocked many, especially my family, but those who are close to me know that PC is not a failure. When I set out to do something I invest everything into it and if you love me you will support me in that endeavour.
People are saying PC is favourite for the Zifa presidency but I have learnt a lot over the years. I am going out there canvassing support right until the last minute.
My brother, if I tell you the time I’m sleeping you will be shocked, this office I am running for is just something else.
Football has its bearers, the godfathers who have to be met before they give you their blessings and this is what I have been doing around the clock.
During these interactions I realise there are concerns that PC can turn out to be another Cuthbert Dube, people say Dube came from business and I am coming from business too.
But look, Dube is not a businessman, which business did he run?
This guy was just an officer at PSMAS and today he stands accused of taking money from that organisation and channeling it to Zifa.
I know the challenges at Zifa and wouldn’t want to go in there to tarnish my name.
A CV is very important and if I get to win the election I will use my two years at Zifa to enhance mine.
Leadership is about overcoming fear, fearless people are the true leaders.
I will work hard for Zifa and from then on if there is an opportunity at CAF (Confederation of African Football) I will take a crack being promoted by my Zimbabwe.
KuFifa kukamuka basa ndopinda futi!
But my Zimbabwe can only support me if I and the team that will come in on December 5 do the job.
Right now the characteristic of the individual sought to be Zifa president must of necessity be someone who carries the wherewithal to liquidate the Zifa debt and make sure that players are paid on time.
I was forced to give money to the Warriors because the boys were leaving camp in protest against the non-payment of their bonuses.
I had vowed not to give money to the teams until I win the elections but it got to a situation whereby (coach Kallisto Pasuwa) called me.Pasuwa said, “VaChiyangwa, zvinhu zvodai here muripo?” And I just decided to help. Going forward, this is an area that has to be addressed by making sure that the national teams have corporate sponsors.
I have sold my manifesto to the councilors, I will keep selling it and hopefully I will win this election and help rescue Zimbabwean football.The fans don’t vote but I know they are the owners of the game and my message is trust PC he will do right with Zifa, he is no failure.Zifa presidential aspirant Phillip Chiyangwa was speaking to The Sunday Mail Sports Editor Makomborero Mutimukulu in Harare on Thursday 29 October, 2015
