Orlando Pirates fans enjoy benefits of being members of the team’s Greater Mamelodi Branch.
According to the branch’s Chairperson Daphney “Mama D” Tshoke, the branch was formed way back in the 1970s and though some people have ceased to be members due to reasons like having passed away over the years, new members always join the branch and those who were members back in the 1970s are still loyal to the team and the Greater Mamelodi Branch.
“Every third week of the month we hold our branch meetings on Sundays from 11am to 2pm and when Pirates plays we travel together as members of the branch and the branch is all about showing one another love as supporters of Pirates and teaching people how to behave at Pirates matches and also letting them know what Orlando Pirates is in actual fact,” said Tshoke.
Branch membership is open to even kids who are 5 years old but these minors must always be accompanied by their parents or guardians who would take care of them at all times.
“As Pirates supporters we show humility and unity and anyone among us who happens to be having a problem of any kind they are free to seek help from us as members of the Greater Mamelodi Branch of Pirates,” she said.
“Unlike with other teams, there are no other branches in Mamelodi except this one branch, namely the Greater Mamelodi Branch,” explained Tshoke.
The branch supporters have a culture of combining birthday celebrations of all the members born in the months of October, November and December into one big celebration that would be enjoyed by all the members of the branch.
“Fighting at matches or at branch meetings is discouraged completely as members are taught that love, respect and communication are the best characteristics of a good Orlando Pirates supporter,” enthused Tshoke.
She announced that the branch will hold its annual year-end party on 15 November so as to make sure that those who will be going to far-flung places for the December holidays get to attend such functions before going away from Gauteng.
The last meeting of the branch was held on Sunday 19 October, in Section 14 Mamelodi East, which happened to be Tshoke’s birthday.
“I joined the Greater Mamelodi Branch of Pirates in December last year after seeing them on Facebook and was impressed by their organisational skills, especially when travelling to matches together,” said William Malhafunya who is originally from Mootla but now lives in Hatfield.
“I want Pirates to start winning the PSL League title trophy as well as the African Champions League because we haven’t won those trophies for a long time now,” he said.
“I enjoy it a lot as a member of this branch and I have also recruited several Pirates supporters to join the branch as well,” enthused Malhafunya.
Thomas Mabina of Mamelodi East told Tshwane Talks that he became a supporter of Orlando Pirates many years ago and also joined the Greater Mamelodi Branch of the team’s supporters when he came to live in Pretoria more than 15 years ago
“As supporters we greatly appreciate the way Pirates is playing at the moment and winning several trophies but we support them even when they are not performing well because football entails winning some times or losing at other times,” said Mabina.
Natasha Nzwana from Nellmapius grew up as a Pirates supporter from her home in Cape Town but joined the Greater Mamelodi Branch of Pirates now that she lives in Pretoria.
Her brothers and father are the ones who influenced her to fall in love with Pirates.
19-year-old Lindokuhle Motha originally comes from Mpumalanga but joined the Greater Mamelodi Branch of Pirates so that he can travel to Pirates matches together with supporters of the team as he didn’t feel safe travelling alone to Pirates games.
He started supporting Pirates at the age of 14 and wants Pirates to keep on winning as many trophies as possible so as to keep them happy at all times.
Orlando Pirates Greater Mamelodi Branch supporters enjoy the following benefits:
1.Burial Support whereby an amount of R6000 is provided to the family of the registered member upon them passing away and this excluded extended family members.
2. Travel Assistance which entails transport to the Soweto deby between Pirates and Chiefs at a cost of R140.
3.Festive Celebrations which entails enjoyment of Annual Christmas Party with complimentary food and refreshments.
4. Membership Participation which entails voting rights on key organisational matters.
5. Exclusive Competitions entail free entry to all member competitions.
6.Special Occasions which entail receiving baby shower gifts and donations to celebrate your new arrival and enjoy a special birthday shootout on our social media pages.
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