07 October 2008 

IN TOUCH WITH THE PRO



On the 15th of September 2008, I officially assumed my position as PRO/Media Officer for Maritzburg United, on a part time basis. However, when we beat Kaizer Chiefs at Chatsworth, I was already involved with the team. It was therefore a very sweet arrival for me, claiming the scalp of one of the big teams in the premiership.

It will probably be of interest to properly and officially introduce myself to all MUFC fans, and the football loving community who visit our website. My name is Mandla Brian Zuma, born at Esigodini, Edendale in Pietermaritzburg, 43 years ago. I did my Primary and High School Education in Edendale and eSinathing, respectively, before studying to be a teacher for 3 years at Indumiso College of Education, in Pietermaritzburg. From 1985 I taught at Nansindlela Primary School in Imbali, but then got a scholarship from the Department of Education and Training to study for a diploma in Physical Education and Sports Administration. This, I studied at Transvaal College of Education in Pretoria in 1987.

I then went back to my school to continue with my teaching career, until 1993, when I was offered a promotion to be Youth Programme Development Co-coordinator in the Offices of the Department of Education and Training. In 1995, when Community radio was introduced, Radio Maritzburg became Community Radio number one, because we were the first to receive the broadcast licence. I was with radio Maritzburg from the beginning, but working after hours and week-ends as I was working for DET. In 1996, I left DET, and joined Old Mutual as a Personal Financial Advisor. At that time I was still involved with Radio Maritzburg.

In May 2000, I was approached by the new Regional Commercial Radio Station in Durban, P4 Radio, to come and join them. I joined P4 Radio in June 2000 as a night DJ, traveling between Pmburg and Durban, Monday to Friday. In December 2000, I was appointed programmes manager for the station, which meant I was in the office from Monday to Friday, and on air doing week-end Breakfast on Saturday and Sunday. In October 2001, I relinquished the Management position and went back on air full time. In 2003, I was offered the Breakfast Show, which I did until 2004, when I did the Afternoon Drive Show.

In January 2005, I joined Msunduzi Municipality as Manager in the Office of the City Mayor. In 2007, a new department was started, and I was appointed Manager: Marketing and Communications, the position I still hold, which prompted me to register with Varsity College, for a diploma in Marketing Management, which I qualified for in July 2008.

I have been married for 15 years to my lovely wife Lindiwe, and we have been blessed with two beautiful boys, Brian junior, a crazy basketballer, and Lwandiswa who plays for MUFC under 13 development side, as well as KZN midlands Cricket side. We all live at Unit J, Imbali. I grew up playing a lot of sports including soccer, athletics and volley ball. Music is my life. That is my story.

Back to football, we are very pleased with the way the team has started the league campaign this season. Despite the fact that we started late with preparations, due to the play-offs, the boys have responded very well to the coach’s tactics, and this has laid a very good foundation moving forward. We are grateful to the coach, Gordon Igesund, he has put together a team that will seriously compete in the league. Management, especially our Chairman, has demonstrated his and the Directors’ desire to Make Maritzburg United a very competent team in the PSL.

As I continue to find my feet, I will be communicating with you on a lot of issues about the team, and it’s strategies on building relationships with the supporters, the media, the sponsors and a whole lot of other stakeholders. Very soon we will be visiting various parts of Pietermaritzburg and the surrounding areas with the view of establishing supporters’ branches. I am looking forward to meeting the supporters at these meetings. In the mean time, please do communicate with us on any ideas, concerns, complaints, gratitude and general issues.

So long

Brian “ BZ “ Zuma
PRO