From Wits to Swallows: How PSL clubs have been bought, sold, and erased
99 years of history wiped out Bidvest Wits players celebrate with the Telkom Knockout trophy after winning in 2017. Three years later, the club disappeared from South African football when their status was bought by Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila. Photo: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Image: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Last week, former league champions SuperSport United became the latest team to sell their PSL status.
For the first time since 1994, the once-mighty Matsatsantsa – a team with a short but storied history, and who at times were the only team able to stand up to Mamelodi Sundowns – are no more.
The news angered many fans and former footballers, shocked that a team which won three consecutive titles between 2008 and 2010 could be wiped out so suddenly.
SuperSport United was bought by Calvyn Le’John, who was later revealed to be the son of Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie. Le’John’s plans for the club include relocating it to Bloemfontein, where they will play as Siwelele United.
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He is also expected to invest up to R400 million in the project to revive football in the Free State. Soon after, it was reported that Cape Town City, who were recently relegated, were looking to buy someone’s status in order to remain in the top flight.
Due to the difficult financial situation TS Galaxy currently finds themselves in, they could be tempted to sell their status in order to keep the Citizens in the Betway Premiership.
IOL Sport takes a look at some of the most high-profile status changes in the PSL.
Moroka Swallows → Marumo Gallants (2024)
Just last year, Marumo Gallants made their way back into the league when they purchased the status of Moroka Swallows, who themselves had only made it back to the professional ranks after buying another club’s status.
Bloemfontein Celtic → Royal AM (2021)
One of the most high-profile cases where a status was sold was when Durban businesswoman Shauwn Mkhize bought the status of Bloemfontein Celtic after Royal AM failed in their promotion bid back in 2021. After two years in the league, things didn’t go as planned for MaMkhize’s team, as they found themselves in a financial hole that got them kicked out.
Dynamos → AmaZulu (2006)
AmaZulu were relegated from the top flight back in 2001/02. They returned briefly in 2003/04 as Zulu Royals, but were relegated again. In 2006, local businessman Patrick Sokhela bought the status of Dynamos, who had finished 13th in the league.
Thanda Royal Zulu → AmaZulu (2016)
AmaZulu were relegated again in 2014, and after failing to gain promotion back to the top flight, they bought out KwaZulu-Natal rivals Thanda Royal Zulu, who had won the National First Division.
Bidvest Wits → Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila (TTM) (2020)
In 2020, the beloved name of Bidvest Wits disappeared from South African football just three years after winning the league. Wits, then the oldest club in the country at 99 years old, sold their status to Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila. The club lasted just one season in the top flight before they sold their status to Marumo Gallants in 2021.
Highlands Park → TS Galaxy (2020)
TS Galaxy made history in 2019 when they beat Kaizer Chiefs in the Nedbank Cup final, becoming the first team from the National First Division to win the competition. The following season, the team struggled in the NFD and could only manage 10th place. However, the following season saw them make the jump to the top division after buying out Highlands Park. They’ve been in the top flight ever since, but speculation is rife that they might sell their status to the recently relegated Cape Town City.
Mpumalanga Black Aces → Cape Town City (2016)
Cape Town City were founded just nine years ago after the club purchased Mpumalanga Black Aces and relocated the club to Cape Town. Amazayoni, as they were known, had finished fourth in the league during the 2015/16 season.
More status changes
Vasco da Gama → FC Cape Town (2007)
Benoni Premier United → Thanda Royal Zulu (2007)
City Pillars → Mpumalanga Black Aces (2007)
Mbekweni Cosmos → Chippa United (2010)
Bay United → Polokwane City (2012)
Vasco da Gama → Stellenbosch FC (2016)
These repeated status sales raise deeper questions about the integrity and sustainability of South African football.
While club owners may see it as a business decision, it’s the supporters and communities that are left betrayed. Unless the PSL re-evaluates its policies around franchise trading and puts heritage and supporter loyalty at the heart of its decisions, South African football risks losing more than just club names – it risks losing its soul.
IOL Sport