New clubhouse for local Orlando Pirates Football Club supporters

“The branch was officially launched in early 1995 by people such as Sath Twala and Lebo Ntwanyana, while others are now deceased,” says chairman of the branch, Kenneth Mofokeng.

“But due to miscommunication in the branch, some members started relaxing and others stopped attending.

“The branch carried on and was still in existence until it was re-launched in 2011.”

The committee says from 2011 to date, things have been better and the branch is growing, but for years their meetings have been hosted by different members due to them not having a proper clubhouse.

“One of our challenges over the years was that we did not have a clubhouse for meetings, so we would meet anywhere.

“We then decided it was time to find a home and we are humble that we have been taken in by one of our own members, Simon Marothi, who has a nice gathering place at Masimini Section, Ramuthebe Street, in KwaThema,” says deputy chairman, Raynock Mutle.

The branch currently has 256 registered members and these card carrying supporters come from numerous areas including KwaThema, Payneville, Velgedag, Slovo Park, Selcourt, Sharon Park, Strubenvale, Hlanganani, Wright Park and Reedville.

Marothi, who describes himself as an Orlando Pirates supporter by birth, says he didn’t hesitate when the other members approached him about needing a meeting place.

He adds that the members can now host other branches, which makes him happy.

Other branch members say they feel like a happy family and when they meet once a month they are always excited to be together.

They encourage other Orlando Pirates supporters who want to join them to attend their meetings, which are held on the last Sunday of every month, at 9am.

For more information, contact public relations officer Sipho Hlophe on 071 641 4162.