Chairman’s Letter

THE CHAIRMAN'S

LETTER

Season's Greetings, Masandawana!

Welcome to the latest and last edition of the Mamelodi Sundowns Magazine for 2023. I sincerely hope that this letter finds you in good spirits, as everyone at the Football Club sends their appreciation and warmest regards to you.

As we look back and reflect on all that has happened in your Club over the past year, it is my great pleasure to say that 2023 has been a positive period of progress and success. However, the success we have enjoyed has not come easily. The milestones we celebrate today are the results of sacrifice, hard work, commitment, and even our past failures. I would like to salute all the staff members, the players, the coaches, and our supporters for making this an unforgettable year!

Before I comment on the accomplishments of the Club, I could not reflect on a year of success without commending Siya Kolisi and the sensational Springboks, who made history this year by becoming the first team to retain the Rugby World Cup. A special congratulations to our Blue Bulls brothers Canan Moodie, Willie Le Roux, Kurt-Lee Arendse and Marco van Staden who represented South Africa in the World Cup- but of course, we send our thanks and salutations to all the Springbok heroes who united our Nation and brought pride to so many.

South African sports fans were still floating from the World Cup Finals when Coach Rulani and our men’s team made history of their own by winning the very first edition of the African Football League. The competition tested the technical team and the squad as we faced Africa’s most formidable football clubs. There were sacrifices and setbacks on the road to the final, but all these challenges were lessons that kept the team hungry and prepared the players for the moment of truth, which led to an unforgettable final victory at Loftus. Themba Zwane became the first captain to lift the coveted AFL Cup and Ronwen Williams was named Goalkeeper of the tournament; with Thapelo Maseko’s magical performances earning him the Top Scorer and the Most Valuable Player of the tournament. Winning the AFL was a tremendous milestone for everyone involved in the Club, and that moment will forever be cherished in Mamelodi Sundowns memories. LeBron James, perhaps the greatest basketball player of all time, recently said, “Records will be broken, but one thing that will never be broken is to be the first to do something.” Congratulations to the players, coaches and staff for cementing the Club’s place in AFL history.

One cannot talk about success without mentioning the incredible season that the Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies Team had this year. Led by Coach Jerry Tshabalala and his technical team, Captain Zanele Nhlapo, and the inspirational Banyana Ba Style Ladies completed a clean sweep this year, winning every competition and clinching every cup in front of them. Starting with the inaugural Joburg Basadi Challenge, the Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies went on to clinch a second regional COSAFA Cup before accomplishing the ultimate prize of reclaiming their title as the winners of the CAF Women's Champions League. Lastly, the Queens of the Continent clinched their fourth cup of the campaign by defending their Hollywoodbets Super League title. Special recognition should be given to Andile Dlamini, who won the CAF Women’s Champions League Goalkeeper of the Tournament and the COSAFA Golden Glove awards. Our super strikers, Andisiwe Mgcoyi and Refilwe Tholakele, each won the COSAFA Golden Boot and CAF Women’s Champions League Golden Boot awards, respectively. Boitumelo "Queen” Rabale had an exceptional year, winning the Hollywoodbets Super League Player of the Season, as well as the CAF Women’s Champions League Best Player of The Tournament, and Chuene Morifi won the Hollywoodbets Super League Fans’ Player of the year. We are so proud of all the individuals who won their awards; however, I am sure that all of the players mentioned would credit their teammates and the coaching staff for helping them attain their accomplishments. To top off a fantastic list of winners, Coach Jerry and his team were recognized as the CAF Fair Play Team of the Tournament as well as the CAF Club of the Year. The standard of women’s football on our Continent continues to rise each year, and we are incredibly proud of the achievements of the technical team and Mamelodi Sundowns' "Golden Generation" of female footballers. We hope that these historic achievements not only inspire more girls to play the beautiful game but also encourage businesses and brands to support women’s sport.

On the topic of businesses that have shown support for sport, I am delighted to welcome two new powerful partners to the Yellow Nation— Red Bull and Southern Sun. Red Bull joined forces as the official beverage partner for the Brazilians and has given our supporters, players, and staff an exciting new surge of energy. In Southern Sun, we are proud to have partnered with a hotel group that provides the best in accommodation, not only offering our staff and players favourable rates but also extending benefits to our card-carrying supporters, who will receive discounts on rooms as they travel across the region

The passion and love that we have received from our supporters were the driving force behind the launch of our long-awaited Mamelodi Sundowns Membership Card. The Membership Card is the Club’s ultimate gift to its supporters, with exclusive benefits such as discounts for transport, funeral cover, and discounts on food, all available for a one-time R50 fee! The Card is also personalized with your name and a unique supporter number printed on it, so that you can proudly show your friends that you are an official member of the Yellow Nation. If you want a card now, please contact your nearest branch for details.

Mamelodi Sundowns FC has had a year to remember, and whenever we experience these periods of accomplishment, it is important to celebrate our achievements. Even more important is to give thanks to everyone who made these milestones possible. As such, I would like to thank the Board, the players, the coaches, and the staff who worked tirelessly to take our Club to higher levels this year.

Finally, I would like to thank you for supporting Mamelodi Sundowns Football Club. On behalf of everyone at the Club, we wish you a happy new year and look forward to seeing you in 2024!

The Sky is the Limit!

Tlhopie Motsepe
(Chairman)

Bafana Ba Style and Banyana Ba Style.

Reflecting on 2023 and Looking forward to a Great 2024

NEVER SEEN BEFORE FOOTAGE - BEHIND THE SCENES

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Mamelodi Sundowns Magazine

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