There is a feeling of betrayal amongst the Sea Points Swifts executive members and stalwarts – and understandably so!
And fingers point to the Metropolitan LFA president Wayne Weitz, who also happens to be a Swifts stalwart. It recently came to light that Weitz sold the Swifts hierarchy sweet little lies by not being transparent following the acquisition of the ABC Motsepe League Second Division status of Oriented Birds from Plettenberg Bay.
It was initially communicated and believed that one of the investors, who has links to Bontas, has a vision to uplift the century-old Swifts, which had sadly declined over the years for various reasons.
Needless to say, there was a great sense of excitement and optimism when news broke that Swifts will be back in the Second Division after nearly three decades, not just from football lovers in Bonteheuwel but many across the Cape Metropole. There were expectations that talent from the club and Bonteheuwel area would be given preference.
Instead, it was all make-believe, because the investor, Marlon Parker, founder of R-Labs, has his own vision. But none of this was really communicated to the Swifts executive and this is where Weitz should shoulder the blame.
There recent name change of the Motsepe League franchise from Swifts to Hope FC confirmed this which doused any hope of a revival for Swifts and the greater Bonteheuwel area.
Furthermore, the Second Division side relocated from their base at Metropolitan in Bonteheuwel to the Erica Park Sports Complex in Belhar – much to the disappointment of the Swifts executive and faithful who were left in the dark since the news broke about their ‘partnership.’
According to the Swifts legend and former Hellenic pro player William ‘Pele’ Anderson, the story that was spun to them was that they would help to revive the club and plough back due to its rich history in football in the Western Cape.
Pele, like many others, was initially over the moon and he even advised one of the investors to link up with the Weitz who acted as a link between the investors and Swifts.
Pele said to No Bones with Jones:” Why ask to use our name in the first place if you know that you have no plans to help the club? We felt betrayed and played,” he added.
Another stalwart, John Frans, who is trying his utmost to get the club going again, along with his executive, is dumbstruck by how their name was hijacked.
‘m not interested in that team, the only thing that I was happy about was that they are going to play under Sea Point Swifts’ name and in that we get exposure and that some of or players will get a chance to play at a higher level but now that they want to play under a different name is a bit disappointing.,” Frans weighed in.
Our website understands that Swifts’ executive will call an emergency meeting today to get to the facts. This is a developing story.
