Shauwn 'MaMkhize' Mkhize's ambition to own Eswatini's most successful club Mbabane Highlanders FC hits a snag - 'The team hasn't changed its ownership and name'

South Africa's flamboyant businesswoman Shauwn "MaMkhize" Mkhize's ambition to own Eswatini's most successful club, Mbabane Highlanders FC, has stalled.

According to Eswatini Premier Soccer League (EPSL) Chief Executive Officer Pat Vilakati, the acquisition stalled because the process was not concluded within the required timelines.

"Yes, at the moment, the team hasn't changed its ownership and name. The expected new owner, Miss Shauwn Mkhize, and the old director, Bheki Simelane, were supposed to sign handover papers to register Mkhize as the new owner, but that didn't happen, and the closing date was Monday, 21 July," Vilakati told Soccer Laduma.

As a league, we understand that Mkhize is supposed to pay Simelane a compensation fee because he had an 18-month contract with Mbabane Highlanders FC, which we believe Mkhize hasn't yet paid," the CEO added.

"Simelane can't hand over the ownership without that compensation; hence, the snag in registering her as the new owner. So, for now, it's still under Mr Bheki Rubber Simelane's name."

Highlanders FC will now proceed to the next season under the same name and leadership it had before.

"As for now, that's how things will be. They could not change the directorship and the team name, so in our books it's still the old name with old directors as we prepare to start the new season," Vilakati explained.

"Until we get a written letter from Mr Simelane indicating that we can change the name, then it will remain Mbabane Highlanders. Mind you, the registration and name change deadline was last Monday, the 21st of July.

The former Royal AM was unveiled as Highlanders president on July 12.

When she was unveiled, the club rebranded, and the gold colours that were associated with Royal AM were added to the Highlanders.

Apart from rebranding in terms of colours, MaMkhize added her son's, Andile Mpisane's, abbreviation to the club's name, which meant the name changed to Mbabane Highlanders AM Football Club.

Her Royal AM was expelled from the top tier when the Premier Soccer League Board of Governors (BoG) terminated its membership.

When she was unveiled, MaMkhize stated that she joined Highlanders to elevate them and make them a more successful club.

However, that ambition may not take off yet after the new update, as the acquisition has stalled.