Nomads fans in ‘payback’ initiative to Mpinganjira
Some former Be Forward Wanderers Supporters Committee officials have launched a drive to mobilise the club’s supporters to open accounts with FDH Bank.
Nomads former main supporters committee chairperson Yona Malunga, who is spearheading the drive, said in an interview yesterday that the move is an appreciation of FDH Financial Holdings founder Thom Mpinganjira’s move to pump in K20.2 million to cover the team’s salaries for four months.
He said: “We felt obliged as Wanderers supporters to express our appreciation to Mr. Mpinganjira by mobilising Nyerere [Wanderers fans] to open accounts with the FDH Bank.”
Put to him that the business mogul and philanthropist made it clear that the money did not come from FDH Bank, Malunga said: “Of course, he said that, but being the founder and majority shareholder, we felt that would be the best way to express our appreciation.
“He also said if the initiative becomes successful, it could open the doors for future partnership with the bank.”
“So, we have planned to travel nationwide to court Wanderers supporters. We are starting the drive today [yesterday] in Makhetha and Machinjiri here in Blantyre, but we hope to have a proper launch ceremony soon,” said Malunga.
He also said both the bank and the club’s main supporters committee are aware of the arrangement. But while acknowledging meeting Malunga and his team, FDH Financial Holdings head of marketing and communication Levi Nkunika said it was the supporters committee’s initiative.
“Mr. Mpinganjira retired from FDH Financial Holdings and he made it clear that he assisted Wanderers in his personal capacity as the team’s long-time supporter.
“But if the supporters felt that was the best way to express their appreciation so be it. It is their own initiative,” he said.
Nomads main supporters committee chairperson Melvin Nkunika also confirmed being approached by Malunga and his team on the initiative
“We cannot stop them it might sound a good initiative, but they should have followed the procedures by getting our approval first,” he said.
