The entrepreneur from the Eastern Cape said in an interview last year that he had lost 30 to 35 kilograms.
The post, which was supposed to announce football development plans for the Eastern Cape, prompted several people on social media to question Chippa United chairman Siviwe “Chippa” Mpengesi's weight loss.
One netizen said, “I had to zoom in and out like 4 times to make sure it was him…Damn, this herbal flex is so much better than OMO fat remover.” Some people also wondered if the person in the photo was really Mpengesi.
I had to zoom in and out like 4 times to make sure it was him…Damn, this Herbflex is so much better than the OMO fat remover 😂😂
— BetweenYou&I (@BetweenyouI) April 18, 2024
I didn't know that Chippa hired a new wizard, but who is he?
— Nsiza, Simelela, Ngonyama, Marilerwa (@MlamliTshaka) April 18, 2024
In a photo shared by Chippa United's official Twitter account, the president appeared to be in a meeting with South African Football Association East London chairman Mxolisi 'Prince' Shivam.
Is that Mpengeshi?
— Hlombe Msalazabiwa Siphelele (@SipheleleHlombe) April 18, 2024
Also Read: Most Memorable Celebrity Body Transformations of 2022
lose weight
Mpengesi spoke to sports broadcaster Robert Marawa on 947 and explained the reason for his suddenly cropped look.
“One of my resolutions for 2023 was to do something different than Rob, as a public figure and as a role model for many,” the axe-wielding chairman said.
“One day when I was watching a rerun program and the TV caught me, I saw that muhabah (big belly) and I wasn't proud of myself. It was like this guy was doing shisa nana business. It was like running a braai or a pub,'' the chairman confessed in 2023, when he was already looking slimmer.
“I said, 'No, no, I have to do something.' I can't really keep up with the old presidents. They're older than me, but they look smart and they dress well. That's smart. So I said 2023 is the year I want to do something different.”
The entrepreneur from the Eastern Cape said he lost 30 to 35 kg in weight at the time. “There are a lot of things I cut out in my life. I started new things, new cultures…walking, going to the gym,” he said.
Mpengesi is not the first public figure to undergo a weight change. Julius Malema, DJ Sbu, his media personality Nkanyiso Bhengu and others.
Changes in lifestyle are also impacting the way Mpugeshi runs his business. Mpengesi is known for making quick decisions when it comes to sacking his club's coaches.
“Also, my anger level has gone down. We might have a coach who finishes the season for the first time,” he said.
In March, Chippa United co-coach Kwanele Khopo explained that Morgan Mamila would remain part of the club's technical team following relegation.
The Chilli Boys started the season with Mamila in charge of 13 games before being replaced by Kopo and Thabo September.
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