MaMkhize finally apologises for changing Bloemfontein Celtic’s name
South African businesswoman and reality TV star Shauwn “MaMkhize” Mkhize has finally addressed the lingering pain felt by Bloemfontein Celtic supporters after the club was rebranded into Royal AM in 2021.
Her long-overdue apology comes shortly after news broke that she had acquired yet another football club, this time based in Swaziland.
In a video shared by sports commentator @UnplayableZA, MaMkhize admitted that her decision to change Celtic’s identity hurt many people, and she’s only now realising the full impact of that move.
“I think Bloemfontein Celtic was caught up in the crossfire,” she said.
“Today, I think I must say I apologise profusely to them for changing the name. I could’ve done better. I could’ve done it like how I’m doing now, to say I’m finding a club that is a 1952 club, and I can’t change it.”
She explained that her motivation at the time was rooted in building a football legacy for her son, Andile Mpisane.
“I want to say today, I’m sorry to Bloemfontein Celtic, but I think I needed to have Royal AM for the sake of my son. I owe him that, and they were caught in the crossfire.”
𝗦𝗛𝗔𝗨𝗪𝗡 𝗠𝗞𝗛𝗜𝗭𝗘: “𝗜’𝗠 𝗦𝗢𝗥𝗥𝗬”
“I think Bloemfontein Celtic was caught up in the crossfire [when she bought the club]. Today, I think I must say I apologize profusely to them for changing the name. I could’ve done better. I could’ve done like how I’m doing now to… pic.twitter.com/SId9y0momZ
— #UNPLAYABLE (@UnplayableZA) July 16, 2025