The fate of our beloved Moroka Swallows, one of South Africa’s most storied football clubs, was hanging by a thread after a series of financial setbacks. Once a powerhouse in the local football scene, the club’s recent struggles have been well-documented, with their financial woes reaching a critical point last season. After failing to honour two fixtures, Swallows were expelled from the Premier Soccer League (PSL), signalling the start of a downfall.
In a desperate move during the off-season, the club sold its top-flight status to Marumo Gallants, marking the end of an era in the PSL for the Soweto-based outfit. Hopes of bouncing back by acquiring Gallants' Motsepe Foundation Championship status were dashed when Swallows couldn’t gather the funds to make the purchase. This left the Dube Birds in a precarious position, with no clear path back to competitive football at the higher levels.
Initially, Dondol Stars were rumoured to be in talks to purchase the Gallants' second-tier status, but the club’s decision to sell its ABC Motsepe League spot to Tshwane University of Pretoria (TUT) complicated matters. As a result, Leruma United stepped in and secured the Motsepe Foundation Championship status, leaving Swallows without any clear footing in South Africa's football hierarchy.
The looming question now is whether Moroka Swallows will continue to exist, even at the lower ranks of the football pyramid. Insider reports suggest that the club may cease to operate professionally, as the financial burden seems too great to overcome. A source familiar with the situation revealed that supporters had asked the previous owners to relinquish the rights to the Swallows name and entity. However, this would not be without a cost. The owners have been asked to name their price, and the supporters are determined to raise the necessary funds through donations and contributions from individuals and interested organizations.
Despite the challenges, our fanbase is adamant about reviving the club, which boasts a rich history and deep roots in South African football. We believe the team can be rebuilt from the ground up, starting in the lower leagues if necessary. “We feel they can't let such a great club die and are determined to restore its former glory,” our source added.
However, there remains uncertainty about the viability of this effort. When contacted, Swallows’ former legal representative, Leruma Thobejane, who facilitated the sale of the PSL status, stated that he had no information regarding the club’s future operations. “I represented the owners during the sale of their PSL status. Whether they will compete in the lower leagues, I don’t know,” Thobejane commented, adding, “I don't have any new information regarding their plans.”
