Some 100-odd Kaizer Chiefs supporters marched to Naturena on Friday morning to peacefully voice their frustration with the club's current dire situation.
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In a memorandum of concerns handed over to management and accepted by Jessica Motaung, the Chiefs director of marketing and daughter of chairman Kaizer Motaung, the fans made the following demands:
- Restore the Chiefs playing philosophy and status as a big club
- A squad overhaul promised by the club in April 2018 after the resignation of Steve Komphela and prior to the appointment of Giovanni Solinas
- A development vision
- A solid scouting network
- Develop players for the overseas market
- Women's football
- A revival of the chairman's columns on the club's platforms
- Prioritise the football department, not marketing
- The appointment of a CEO or general manager
- Restore membership cards
- Honour senior players who've served the club with loyalty
#KaizerChiefsProtest #KaizerChiefsMarch #KaizerChiefsPeacefulProtest RT @psixaba: It's happening. @KaizerChiefs supporters have gathered at Tinties In Naturena as they are set to march to the clubs headquarters to deliver a Memorandum. @Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/ov8Lm2U0PU
— JAY???? (@JayNtuli_SA) May 14, 2021
Jessica Motaung signed and accepted the memorandum before addressing the media, though she did not speak directly about coach Gavin Hunt's future, especially with Chiefs still outside the Top 8 with only three DStv Premiership matches to go.
"It's been a challenging season, it's been a rough one. But certainly one that's had lessons and high and lows. We've missed the supporters, I think it's one of our advantages that we haven't had as a club," she said.
"They are rallying behind us and the players understand the significance that they play and how they motivate them. I don't know how they would have reacted in the stadium, we wouldn't want any violence. I am very thankful that they came here with a peaceful and loving approach and sharing with us exactly how they feel. We've taken into account the feelings of the supporters who also aren't here – they've talked through the branches and sent letters, called every day and engage about how they feel. We will give this the attention it deserves. Some of the issues they raised resonate with me personally. Some are low hanging fruit that can be addressed right away, but people must be realistic. There's a journey of process and transition, it won't be instant. But we can achieve as a collective."
Football manager Bobby Motaung, who has been heavily criticised by supporters throughout the trophy drought, was not present.
Chiefs haven't won silverware since 2015.
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The theme around the Chiefs protest is being compared to those in the UK, though it wasn't at the same scale...
