‘We will not run Notwane on emotions’
Kabelo Boranabi | Friday January 16, 2026 10:34
Sechaba will meet for Saturday’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the clubhouse, and Ramodise insists the club will be governed by procedure and not pressure.
With the club battling unpaid salaries and simmering discontent amongst sections of the membership, the chairperson struck a defiant tone, dismissing what he described as emotional and unprocedural attempts to destabilise the current executive. “I do not know that there are divisions. What is happening is that members need to learn how to manage their emotions.
“When there is disagreement, we should sit down and seek solutions. That is how Notwane operates,” he said.
The chairperson confirmed that the club remains without a sponsor or investor. As a result, he revealed they continue to rely solely on membership-driven fundraising initiatives, admitting that failure to consistently pay players remains the club’s biggest challenge.
“We have managed almost everything except sourcing funds to pay the players. There is no secret, Notwane is broke.
“We are knocking on doors every day, and whenever we get something, we pay those we owe,” Ramodise said.
He, however, accused a section of the club’s supporters of fuelling instability whilst failing to contribute meaningfully, claiming some of the loudest critics are not even registered members.
“The people causing commotion are the ones who are not contributing. Some are not registered members. Their intention is for the current committee to fail. That is not how problems are solved,” he said. Addressing reports that members are pushing for the return of former chairperson, Director Lebetwa, Ramodise insisted that any leadership transition or investment proposal must follow laid-down procedures, warning against what he described as a “coup mentality”.
“We cannot hand over the club to anyone. This is a public entity, and anyone who wants to assist must submit a proposal and allow the membership to decide. There are procedures, and they must be followed.”
Ramodise also revealed that engagements with Lebetwa early in his tenure were overshadowed by disputes linked to the previous committee, including threats of legal action against the club.
The chairperson leaned heavily on Notwane’s traditional values of respect and order, saying elders within the club had a responsibility to guide members away from confrontational tactics.
“Notwane was built on botho and respect. When elders do not take your side, you should know that you are in the wrong,” Ramodise said.
He further dismissed claims that a meeting had been scheduled for December and later postponed, stating that the current executive had not authorised any such gathering.
“There was no meeting set for December,” Ramodise said. “We do not know who called it.”
Looking ahead to Saturday’s AGM, he said the focus would be on briefing members on the state of the club and collectively seeking solutions, while reiterating his intention to serve out his term before an elective AGM is convened.
“We will not work with emotions. We are here to do the job and finish it. Then we would call an elective AGM that will aid in a new leadership, and those interested in leadership positions would show interest,” Ramodise said.
The Saturday’s meeting is expected to be a defining moment for a club grappling with financial strain, leadership pressure and the challenge of preserving tradition while securing its future.