For the second leg of the Know Your Owner series I take a look at the other DSTV Premiership new boys TS Galaxy FC and their owner, Tim Sukazi. In this I’ll focus on Tim’s business life, the birth of Galaxy a little bit of scandal from his time as an agent and more.
Tim Sukazi hails from a town called Dennilton near Kwaggafontein in Mpumalanga. There isn’t much known about his personal life but Sukazi often gives back to his community, playing Father Christmas and adopting children who he sponsors through his charitable organisation. He is often seen among community members, leading the band at games and does a lot for the KwaNdebele region.
We have built TS Galaxy and it has proven to have a structure that will serve South African football well in the Premier Soccer division.
Tim Sukazi
Moving onto his work life, Tim Sukazi is extremely accomplished and educated. He holds a B.Proc and LL.B from Unisa as well as an LL.M from UCT. He was a partner at Bowman Gilfillan between 2003 and 2008 before becoming a Bowmans director until 2013.
In June 2013, Sukazi founded Tim Sukazi Inc, a corporate and commercial law firm based in Sandton. In addition, he owns sports talent management agency, Quality Talent Sports (QTS), overseeing the careers of stars such as Steve Khompela, Brilliant Khuzwayo and Lebohang Maboe. He also served as a member of the Gauteng Gambling Board until as recently as March 2019.
Onto the scandal. In 2014, Gordon Igesund was accused of colluding with agents (Sukazi’s QTS among them) on Bafana selections and instructing players to go on strike during CHAN that year. Igesund was found not guilty by the Norman Arendse Commission but some recommendations were made including the banning of agents from any hotels that Bafana were staying at leading to Sukazi vowing he would travel wherever he could afford to and would not be bound by the recommendations
In another 2017 scandal, Sukazi and the South African Football Intermediaries Association (SAFIA) was referred to the Competition Commission for fee price fixing. Sukazi’s QTS agreed to pay a fine of more than R114 168.84. Sukazi then stepped down from the agency to avoid potential conflict.
Onto the club. Sukazi says the ‘club was established for the need for a young, vibrant and innovative club that is moving with the times.’ The former KwaNdebele had no club at any reasonable level of the game and he felt it was his responsibility to change that. TS Galaxy purchased the NFD league license from Cape Town All Stars in May 2018. Prior to that Galaxy played in the ABC Motsepe League. On Saturday 18 May 2019, Galaxy shocked the nation, winning their first inaugural trophy, the Nedbank Cup, beating Chiefs 1-0.
The rise to the top table of South African club football was complete with the announcement that Galaxy had purchased the PSL status of Highlands Park
And so we end. What a story Tim Sukazi is painting so far
