In a dazzling ceremony held on July 12 in Eswatini, South African businesswoman and media personality Shauwn “MaMkhize” Mkhize made history as she was unveiled as the first female president of Mbabane Highlanders AM Football Club — one of the most storied teams in Eswatini’s football legacy.
The event, rich with symbolism and spectacle, was attended by her son and close business partner, Andile Mpisane, as the club officially adopted a rebranded identity: Mbabane Highlanders AM FC. The addition of the “AM” nods to Andile’s brand, signaling a bold new chapter of ambition, unity, and cross-border collaboration.
This dramatic shift comes in the wake of the collapse of MaMkhize’s South African club, Royal AM, which was plagued by financial setbacks — including a massive R27-million sponsorship loss and looming liquidation. While some critics viewed her move to Eswatini as controversial, many now see it as a strategic reinvention that could breathe new life into the Highlanders.
Within the club, early skepticism has begun to soften in the face of her promise to bring financial stability, modern management, and continental exposure to the team. With a track record of bold decisions and headline-making business ventures, MaMkhize’s leadership could mark a turning point not just for the Highlanders, but for Eswatini football as a whole.
Her historic appointment as the club’s first woman president breaks gender barriers in a traditionally male-dominated space, and her presence is already shifting perceptions across the region. What lies ahead for Mbabane Highlanders AM FC may just be the most compelling chapter in their proud history yet — one written with ambition, disruption, and the undeniable flair of MaMkhize.
