04 September
Hello everyone, and a warm welcome to our new members who have joined since the last newsletter (many months ago): Naledi Koko, Kiara Allen, Muzi Shongwe, Sidumo & Lindelwa Mdladla, Albert Mavuso, Alfred Adams, Lunga Mavimbela, Fion De Vletter, George Wachira, Vusie Gama, Thabo Dlamini, Wandile Maduna, Sinead Motsa, Xiong Zhu, Aidan Motsa, Willard Mavhu, Bongani Nkambule, Sibusiso & Nomcebo Mnisi, Bongani Mabuza, Sanele Lukhele, Mlandvo Dlamini, Lwati Dvuba, Nonhlanhla Ntandane, Bongani Masuku, Mncedici Mkhonta, Mancoba Mndzebele, Xoliswa Dlamini, Njabulo Gamedze, Bandzile Dlamini, Petros Mashwama, Lungelo Sihlongonyane, Sanele Shongwe, Bongekile Tsabedze, Li Snow, Sandziso Kunene, Malusi Nxumalo, Mamoteare Makara, Lungile Dlamini, Mzwandile Vilakati, Bongani Shabangu, Vusi Ngcamphalala, Jonathan Jele, Noncedo Methula, Muhammad & Iqra Aamir, Mlamuli Mabuza, Nkhululeko Shongwe, Senzosenkosi Khumalo, Sabelo Motsa, Wethu Vilakati, and 6 others whose applications are still in process.
Announcements
- Subscription payments are now due, and invoices will be emailed in the next few days. The amount for each category has, once again, remained the same as last year, and this is the tenth year in a row that subscriptions have not increased. However, with new developments coming, and increased costs – especially our municipal rates bill that has risen nearly 50% in the past two years – subscriptions are likely to increase next year. But this year, they remain at E3,400 for family members, E1,975 for single members; subs for other member categories and how to pay are given below. Many thanks to those of you who have already paid.
- The end of our financial year also means that the Club’s Annual General Meeting is not long away and will be held on Wednesday 15 October 2025. Before then each sports section will hold their annual meetings and elect a representative to serve on the General Committee. Notices will be sent out in due course and posted on the notice boards.
News
Small improvements here and there continue to be made – new tabletops for the Lang bar, a new lawn laid next to the tennis courts – and more improvements are on the way, such as new windows and improved lighting in the Lang bar.
An exciting new development will be the construction of a Padel Tennis court, and if resources permit, redevelopment of the basketball court into a multipurpose sport court, and an extension to the outside veranda on the north side of the clubhouse.
Another possible improvement requires members’ input. In what is now the conference/meeting room there was once a snooker/billiard table. The table was put into storage 10+ years ago and for many years the room hire fee went to the Club’s management company; for the last 4 years the Club has received some income for hire of the room – for the year just ended a total of E2,550, E0 the year before, and E2,475 in 2022-23. The conference room is also used once or twice a month by the Club’s committees and by some members. Should the room revert to being used for snooker/billiards there would be zero income for the Club, because, as with all sports sections, fees for the use of the facility cover the costs and maintenance of that facility. However, the snooker/billiard table would be an asset for use by club members, particularly older members who do not play more active sports, and the table may attract some new members. When the change happened, a petition was signed by 67 members to keep the snooker/billiard table, but that was over 10 years ago, and the General Committee would like to know what members’ think now about changing the use of the conference room back to snooker/billiards. Please answer the question “Do you support keeping the room as a conference room or do you support turning the room back into a snooker/billiard room?” by clicking the link below.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HH7Q5ND
Thank you!
Sports
- Golf. We are pleased to report that the Club and the Municipal Council of Mbabane have agreed a new 10-year lease for the golf course for an annual rent of E1,000. The condition, as before, is that the course is also open space for public use.
- Tennis. Social Tennis Tournament on Saturday 13 September from 9am, for players aged 30+. Entry is E100. See poster on the notice board for sign up details. A relaxed, fun day on court!
- Squash. Court 1 renovation completed and back in use, and great job done!
Miscellany
Please sign up to join the Club’s WhatsApp group to receive announcements. You can join by sending a request to ‘Mbabane Club Members’ or secretary@mbabaneclub.co.sz.
For subscription payments, by EFT to: First National Bank, Branch 281264 (Corporate Place, Mbabane), Account 62579153512, Account name Mbabane Club, reference membership number and/or surname, first name.
Subscriptions for 2025/26 are: Ordinary family members E3,400, ordinary single E1,975, country family E2,500, country single E1,350, senior family E1,200, senior single E800, young adult single 800, international family E1,200, international single E800.
For any questions, suggestions, complaints etc., please email secretary@mbabaneclub.co.sz
For further information about the club, its history, governance, finances, etc., please visit mbabaneclub.co.sz