Bidvest Wits sale – is it now Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila?

Has Limpopo Businessman, Lawrence Mulaudzi really bought former PSL Champions, Bidvest Wits? This has been the biggest talking point in South African and indeed African football over the weekend. There hasn’t been an official confirmation from Wits or the PSL.

Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila – also known as TTM – announced the purchase of Bidvest Wits in what can be described as an unprecedented move via it’s Twitter handle and now it remains to be seen if the “Clever Boys” or “the Students” as the former PSL Champions are known will move to Thohoyandou Stadium in Limpopo, as stated.

TTM even teased on Twitter before eventually making the announcement .

Bidvest Wits is one of the most iconic football clubs in South Africa and has been associated with the University of the Witswatersrand throughout its 99-year history. Backed by the financial muscle of the Bidvest group, the club has a reputation as a professionally run outfit, so the announcement from the reported purchaser rather than from the club itself caught many by surprise.

Limpopo businessman Lawrence Mulaudzi who owns TTM has been quite vocal in recent media reports about the purchase of the club, even going so far as to confirm that some of the players would be sold once the deal was ratified.

Captain Thulani Hlatshwayo and  Deon Hotto are reported to be on their way to Orlando Pirates and others have been lined up by other Gauteng Clubs.

If the deal is ratified, Limpopo will have four PSL clubs next season, should none of the current clubs – Baroka FC, Polokwane City and Black Leopards – be relegated. TTM have further posted that they have logged a request for the name change with the PSL.

The tweet from TTM prompted an outpouring of reactions, ranging from concern to the hilarious. Suggestions that the sale included the university itself prompted a clarification from TTM. There was still no word by Sunday evening (June 14) from Bidvest Wits.