Orlando Pirates supporters in Bela-Bela and Modimolle talk of merger

Orlando Pirates supporters’ branches in Modimolle and Bela-Bela met to discuss their branches’ existence and a possible merger.

Both branches met on the afternoon of Saturday 7 March at a guest house in Bela-Bela, thereafter the delegation remained to watch the Absa Premiership fixture between Orlando Pirates and Golden Arrows.

During the meeting, members from the Modimolle branch expressed satisfaction with what they saw in terms of the running of the Bela-Bela Orlando Pirates Supporters Club.

The Bela-Bela chairperson, Simon Mtarini, said the visitors are still convinced they can operate as a separate branch, while the locals pushed for a merger.

“We are going to let them do so but if they reach a point where they believe that we can form a joint venture, then we will sit down with them and discuss terms and conditions. One thing which is worth mentioning is that
the two branches are working together although we are two separate branches, until such time when we decide to merge if it will come to that,” Mtarini said.

Both braches will from now on be working hand in hand in terms of going to the stadiums to watch games, the running of the branch and strengthening and increasing membership.

Both branches agreed that the dream of seeing all local municipalities coming together to form one combined branch such as the one in the Vaal area of Gauteng was a possibility for the future.

— The BEAT