Following the groundbreaking R100-million sponsorship deal secured by Richards Bay FC, chairman Jomo Biyela has explained in detail the role of Phakwe Group founder Thabiso Tenyane at the club and community.
Last week, Biyela and Tenyane announced that Phakwe Gas will be the headline sponsor at the club. This will be for at least the next three years.
The R100-million is set to be divided into two. The club is set to receive R20-million each season. R40-million is allocated towards training facilities and other additional resources.
When asked about how the Natal Rich Boyz secured a multimillion-rand sponsorship, Biyela said Tenyane will be playing a much bigger part in the community of Richards Bay than at the club.
Multibillion project in the area
He said the Phakwe Group executive chairman is lining up a project that is worth over R100-billion in the area.
“Let me start here, he [Tenyane] is coming into Richards Bay to have a project in terms of gas and energy,” Biyela told Sunday World.
“He is also going to do social investment and community participation. This means he is going to invest some money to assist the people of this area.
“So, because of that, he then also identified us [Richards Bay FC] to be the sponsor of the club.
“Because if you come up with an R100-billion project, it means you are coming here with good intentions. To help uplift the community. With some of that money set to go towards the community.
“So, R100-million [committed to the club] is nothing compared to the over R100-billion which he is supposed to spend. Not to us as a club but to other projects around the area.”
Biyela also gave clarity on whether Tenyane will be involved in the decision-making process at the club.
Brand aligned with corporate values
“Each and every sponsor will obviously want to associate with a brand that will take their brand forward. [Not one that will] put their brand into disrepute,” Biyela said
“That means they will always want us to adhere to the corporate rules. Can you imagine if players are not being paid when they have sponsored us and invested so much money?
“So, those are some of the things that they will be looking at. And maybe once after four or five months, we will have a meeting. To brief him about some of the developments and so forth.
“It’s normal, because from where I am sitting, you can’t just put in so much money and then distance yourself. You will have an interest in terms of what is happening.”
