South Africa has seen indigenous business gurus taking front seats in football development projects.
The names of CAF President and Mamelodi Sundowns owner Patrice Motsepe, Orlando Pirates
owner Irvine Khoza and Kaizer Chiefs owner Kaizer Motaung cannot be omitted when people discuss
about football across the Limpopo.
A Beitbridge-based business tycoon Clemence Mabhidhi has emulated the good work by leading
South African football administrators and invested in massive projects in Beitbridge and Messina.
The Beitbridge-based businessman has successfully completed an amazing project, Ronnies Stadium
which has changed the face of Beitbridge.
The modern structure is already hosting Ruvimbo Funeral Central Region Soccer League matches
after it was cleared by the grounds committee.
It has also started hosting big matches that include Dulibadzimu United.
This has also eased pressure on Beitbridge's traditional home of football, Dulibadzimu Stadium.
According to the visionary football administrator, Ronnies Stadium’s sitting capacity is expected to
be 20 000 when completed.
The stadium will also host beach football, five-a-side soccer and netball among many other sporting
disciplines.
Mabhidhi is also sponsoring Messina United across the Limpopo, which is competing in the Vodacom
League.
As if that is not enough, he is also one of Dulibadzimu United's sponsors, which is currently doing
well in the Ruvimbo Funeral Central Region Soccer League.
His involvement at the two teams has also helped him to play a big role in identifying raw football
talent some of which is already making waves in the local premiership and First Division Leagues.
“I am managing a number of players in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League as well as in the First
Divisions.
“All I want is to contribute towards the development of the beautiful game,” he said on his vision in
sports development.
Mabhidhi has also sponsored anti-drug abuse tournaments back in his Chirumhanzu rural home.
The successfully run tournaments have proved effective in the campaign against drug abuse as they
involved youths from across the district and beyond.
Going forward, Mabhidhi believes his sports development projects will soon start producing fruits
and help identify raw untapped sports talent.