SUBSEQUENT to becoming the first Premier Soccer League club to open a standalone flagship retail store inside a major commercial shopping centre (viz, Mall of Africa, on July 29) – Orlando Pirates Football Club reopened its official store at eS’godini (its home venue, Orlando Amstel Arena) on August 15, 2026.
Reprising the pattern of club legends and ambassadors such as Happy Jele, Innocent Maela, Brighton Mhlongo, Lucky Lekgwathi, and Edward Motale, making an appearance at the Midrand store – the Soweto store opening was attended by Lekgwathi, Fortune Makaringe, Brighton Mhlongo and Thabo Qalinge.
Groups of ‘the Ghost’ (the club’s supporters) accompanied by acquaintances and family members flocked to the gates of the club’s home venue early on the Saturday morning in anticipation of what lay in store, as well as to experience a range of activities catered especially for the moment.
After a symbolic ribbon cutting by staff headed by manager Tshenolo Lebaka, both adult and young Buccaneers – who had been patiently waiting in a long queue which had formed in front of the store – took turns in walking through the modernly designed retail space which immediately became abuzz as they flocked around shelves laden with merchandise ranging from replicas of their favourite club’s jerseys, to accessories such as duffel bags and laptop cases emblazoned with the club’s branding.
Additionally, retro knitwear items evoking the club’s bygone era, were on offer for those inclined to swanking as – under the watchful eyes of security personnel – the enthusiastic customers occupied every aisle and changerooms to pick and fit a plethora of merchandise.
For an added fee, customers even had the option of having their names branded onto their newly purchased replica jerseys, onsite.
To the kids’ delight, activities included being snapped with heroes such as Mhlongo, Makaringe, Qalinge and Lekgwathi for souvenir postcard pictures, as well as kickabouts at which they stood to win prizes.
In expectation of visitation to the store throughout the day, a beer garden selling one of the club’s sponsors’ beverages, was installed adjacent to a food zone.
Ahead of the store’s opening, the Soweto club’s Marketing Manager, Sindisiwe Khumalo-Sibisi, had been quoted on its website thus: “The return of the Orlando Pirates Store to this iconic venue represents more than the reopening of a retail space.
It is our commitment to show that the Soweto township is still thriving and continues to hold a special place in the club.”
Further, its Retail Operations Manager, Hunadi Sefoka, was quoted thus: “Mall of Africa brought the Buccaneer lifestyle into a major commercial centre. Orlando Amstel Arena brings it back to where the story lives.
This store honours our heritage while creating a modern, welcoming space for the current and next generation of supporters.”
Image Jacob MAWELA (Bucs legends- Lucky Lekgwathi, Thabo Qalinge and Fortune Makaringe limned during the re-opening of the Orlando Pirates FC store at the Orlando Amstel Arena.)
