BY MBONO MDLULI
MBABANE – Renowned Radio Legend Charles S’gayoyo Magongo was not going to leave EBIS studio without discussing soccer.
These days, Ingwenyama Cup, which is sponsored by Sincephetelo Motor Vehicle Accident Fund (SMVAF), commonly known as the MVA, is talked about among soccer fanatics in the country. This is more so because Mbabane Highlanders and Mbabane Swallows are still in the competition. These two teams are some of the most followed teams in the country.
The two teams are in the semi finals of the tournament. The two other teams in the semi finals are Young Buffaloes and Green Mamba. The draw of the competition has still not been done, which means it is still not known which team will play against another one.
Magongo started his session from 10am until 12 midday. About 30 minutes before he left the studio, he allowed listeners to call in so that they could answer some questions related to the tournament. A listener was to use a unique way of greeting Magongo. Listerners back in the day used to say, “Woooola Sgi.” He would respond by saying, “Woooola Mntaka Baba.” The listeners were supposed to state the slogan of the tournament. They were also told to say who the top goal scorer of the tournament was.
The listeners were also asked what they wished to happen during the semi finals. Many of those who called in wished for Mbabane Swallows to play against Mbabane Highlanders, in what they described as the dream final. However, some mentioned that it was unlikely for these teams to meet in the finals because Green Mamba and Young Buffaloes were too strong to allow for that to happen.
Other listeners were of the view that the Mbabane derby could be during the semi finals so that one of the Mbabane teams could be in the finals. This, according to the listeners, was going to give mileage to the sponsors of the tournament, as many fans would go to the stadium. What was also interesting was that John ‘Junior Shisa’ Mdluli also called in.
Mdluli is one of the former soccer stars Eswatini has ever produced. He played for Sihlangu Semnikati, the country’s national soccer team. He also played for Mbabane Midas City, Manzini Wanderers and played in countries such as Israel and South Africa. When Mdluli called, Magongo was surprised and they both remided one another when Magongo used to call Mdluli’s name when broadcasting soccer games.
Magongo said he remembered when Mdluli played alongside Maxwell ‘King Dunga’ Zikalala when they played for Manzini Wanderers. That was around 1999 and 2000 when they had played in Israel. The two former soccer stars used to be good ball players, who made the team tick. Magongo would say the stars were displaying what they did in Israel.
Mdluli thanked Magongo for reminding listeners what he used to do and thanked both EBIS and UN Eswatini for organising the World Radio Day. He wished for Mbabane Highlanders to play against Mbabane Swallows in the finals of the Ingwenyama Cup, so that fans could go to the stadium and the sponsor would be happy.
Magongo played songs he used to be known for such as ‘Chiki Lai Lai’ by Amaponi, ‘Shebeleza’ by the late Joe Mafela (commonly known as Sdumo of the Sgudi Snaysi comedy), and Freddy Gwala of the ‘Gumba Fire’ fame, among others. He played Freddy Gwala’s song known as ‘imoto’, which was later remixed by Amapiano Superstar Lindough.
He also played that song, where Lindough also features Gwala. Magongo also played some reggae song sang by the late Lucky Dube, Peter Tosh, and Bob Marley. Due to the rapid changes in the broadcasting industry, Magongo had to be guided by Winile Dlamini, who is one of the well-known radio personalities at EBIS these days.
