Highlanders Football Club has launched a commemorative gin as part of efforts to strengthen the club’s commercial operations during its centenary celebrations.
The product, called Highlanders African Gin, was unveiled this week during a launch ceremony at King’s Kraal Restaurant through a partnership between the club and Comrades Beverages.
Club officials and business leaders described the initiative as part of a broader strategy to modernise football financing and expand revenue streams for one of Zimbabwe’s oldest football institutions.
Speaking at the event, Highlanders chief executive officer Denzil Mnkandla said the partnership reflected the growing importance of commercial collaborations in modern football.
“The launch represents more than the unveiling of a product,” he said.
“It represents the coming together of heritage, business, culture and sport.”
Founded in 1926, Highlanders is one of Zimbabwe’s most supported football clubs, with a fan base extending beyond Bulawayo.
As the club marks 100 years of existence, Mnkandla said Highlanders is now focused on building sustainable business partnerships capable of supporting the club into its second century.
“Football today is no longer sustained by passion alone,” he said.
“Strong partnerships are essential in enabling clubs to compete, innovate and remain relevant.”
He added that partnerships between sport and industry could also help stimulate tourism, employment creation and local investment.
Langa Moyo, founder of Comrades Beverages, said the gin was designed to reflect Highlanders’ resilience and heritage, with the product infused using indigenous African botanicals.
“We wanted something that is going to reflect on the resilience of Highlanders over the years,” he said.
“For us, this partnership is something that we have always looked forward to. We believe Highlanders is one of the biggest teams in Zimbabwe and we believe we can benefit from them and they can benefit from us.”
Moyo said the gin would be available in major retail outlets from Friday.
He added that the company was also preparing to introduce other locally inspired products, including marula-infused vodka and additional African heritage beverages in the coming months.
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