By JN Reporter
 
The long-standing identity of one of South Africa’s most beloved football clubs is at the center of a heated debate, as fans and stakeholders clash over whether the team should retain its historic name, Bloemfontein Celtic, or embrace the increasingly popular nickname, Siwelele FC.

This follows the purchase of Tshwane-based team Supersport United FC by Calvin Le John, the son of Sport Minister Gayton Mckenzie, for R50 million. His goal is to bring Bloemfontein Celtics back to Bloemfontein.
 
The naming dispute has sparked passionate reactions from supporters, many of whom see the name “Celtic” as a symbol of rich heritage, while others argue that “Siwelele FC” reflects a modern, community-driven spirit that better represents the club today.
 
However, at the heart of it all is the naming rights of the ‘Bloemfontein Celtic,’ which was been bought by a Free State businessman, Edward Modise, who argues that the name cannot be used.
 
Modise acquired the naming rights from former club owner Max Tshabalala following his decision to sell the Phunya Sele Sele’s Premier Soccer League status to Royal AM in 2021.
 
According to Modise, the new owners of Siwelele FC have not yet approached him regarding the use of the Bloemfontein Celtic name.
 
“If people doubt my legitimacy over the Bloemfontein Celtic ownership, they can check with Cipro (Companies and Intellectual Property Registration Office). I am the owner 100%. If I was approached, I would listen, and I am willing to negotiate for the sake of the football-loving people of the province; I would not hide. I am told that the people are in a consortium with the Honourable Minister McKenzie. But I say they cannot bring back the club without the name," said Modise.
 
The acquisition of Matsatsantsa by Siwelele FC was officially confirmed by the club on Thursday, pending approval by the PSL executive committee.
 
This deal marks the end of a 30-year era for the Tshwane giants, who were once a dominant force in the PSL, having won the league three times consecutively during their peak under the guidance of Gavin Hunt. 
 
Journal News took to the streets of Bloemfontein and spoke to supporters of Celtic about the name drama.
 
Pitso Sebodi said, as much as the Bloemfontein Celtic name is important to preserve and the team to be named after again, it would not be a bad thing to name it Siwelele FC.
 
“I think we need to be practical as the people of Bloemfontein and those who have now bought the team back for us. If the original name cannot be used, we can settle for a more vibrant and relevant name like Siwelele FC,” said Seboli.
 
Another supporter, Seipati Ramatsa, argues that changing the name from Bloemfontein Celtic to anything else would mean a new team coming to Bloemfontein.
 
“This will not be our beloved Phunya Sele Sele… it will be an entirely new team. I think the consortium should go to Ntate Modise and start the negotiation with him, get the name, and use it appropriately. I believe it will not be that difficult,” said Ramatsa.
 
This also comes as some Bloemfontein Celtic supporters had migrated to Marumo Gallants, whose nickname is now Siwelele sa Marumo.