Shauwn “MaMkhize” Mkhize has made a grand return to the world of football, taking over as president of eSwatini’s historic club, Mbabane Highlanders.
The businesswoman was officially unveiled at a lavish ceremony on Saturday, where she introduced the rebranded Mbabane Highlanders AM Football Club.
Known for her flamboyant lifestyle, MaMkhize arrived at the event in a fleet of black Mercedes V-Class vehicles, accompanied by her son Andile Mpisane and his wife Tamia.
She revealed the club’s new identity, which now carries the “AM” trademark from her previous team, Royal AM, as a symbol of unity between her family and the Highlanders.
“I’ve added the AM to the name to show the unity between Mbabane Highlanders and the AM family,” she said during the unveiling.
The new club crest blends the original black and white colours of Highlanders with the gold elements from Royal AM, showcasing MaMkhize’s desire to merge her personal brand with the club’s legacy.
While MaMkhize has not acquired ownership of the club, she has entered into a three-year contract to oversee the leadership of Mbabane Highlanders, according to reports.
She took to Instagram to share moments from the launch, captioning one post:
“A new chapter written with purpose, vision and heart. Leading with honour, the Highlanders way.”
In her stories, she added the phrase “Bounce back, bounce back” to signal her return to the sport.
This new chapter follows a turbulent period in South Africa, where her former team, Royal AM, was expelled from the Premier Soccer League.
The decision came after the South African Revenue Service raided her properties and seized luxury cars, claiming she owed more than R40 million in taxes.
The club was placed under the control of a curator and later listed for auction in March as part of efforts to recover the outstanding amount.
MaMkhize challenged the decision in court multiple times, but with no success. Her focus has now shifted to eSwatini, where she aims to bring renewed energy and structure to Mbabane Highlanders, who finished eighth in the Premier League of Eswatini last season.
The appointment marks a significant bounce back for MaMkhize, who appears determined to rebuild her legacy in football, this time beyond South Africa’s borders.
