In August 2005 Volkswagen South Africa purchased struggling KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) based National First Division team Maritzburg United.
The Uitenhage-based car manufacturing corporate citizen’s responded to a challenge from then Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality Mayor, Nceba Faku, who had called on local business to help establish a Professional Soccer League (PSL) team by the year 2010.
The Nelson Mandela Bay had just been chosen as one of the host cities for the 2010 FIFA World Cup and was in the process of building a 48 000-people capacity stadium for the global football spectacle. In November 2005, after relocating the franchise to Port Elizabeth, the club embarked on a public participation process in search of a suitable name.
Interviews were conducted at taxi ranks. Opinions were sought on the streets and in public radio stations. Newspaper advertisements were placed, all in an attempt to make the process as inclusive as possible. At the end of the process a shortlist was drawn up comprising of the names Madiba United, Madiba Suns, Bay Siders, eBhayi Stars and Madiba Bay United.
The club settled for Madiba Bay United and met with former RSA president Nelson Rholihlahla Mandela to request his blessing in using the name. President Mandela allegedly agreed ‘in principle’ – subject to approval by his Foundation.
The foundation later disapproved this settlement citing valid reasons and the club settled for Bay United.
In 2006, in order to strengthen the capacity base of the club, Volkswagen also purchased the University of Port Elizabeth School of Excellence, a soccer development facility that had a second division franchise.
The school became the club’s academy, aimed at identifying and nurturing young talent to feed Bay United and other senior clubs in the region.
In July 2007, the senior team ended the season as the second best in the NFD Coastal Stream, with 45 points (14 games won out of 21, 3 draws and 4 losses).
In August 2007, Volkswagen South Africa announced that it has sold Bay United to Izingwe Holdings, an investment company headed by Port Elizabeth businessman Sipho Mila Pityana.
A year later, Bay United defeated Gauteng side FC AK 2-1 in the last leg of promotional play-offs – a remarkable achievement for a team only in its third year of existence. The team was then promoted to PSL at the end of the 2007/08 season.
In the 2009/10 season, the team was relegated back to NFD. At the end of the season after the club failed to qualify for the promotional playoffs, the club owners sold the Club franchise to a Limpopo based businesswoman, Ms. Julia Lerato Mogaladi.
In the 2010/2011 season, the Club became the champions of NFD Coastal Stream and lost out on promotion to Premier Soccer League after losing on Streams champions playoffs as well as losing in the final of Promotional playoffs.
In the 2011/12 season, the Club relocated to Limpopo in Polokwane having spent one season in coastal under the new Club owner. After a series of engagements with stakeholders, the Club then decided to change its name from that of Bay United Football Club to Polokwane City Football Club with effect from the 1st of August 2012.
The Club village which comprised of offices and team members residence was located at 55 Palmfontein, Soetdoring Polokwane. The change of name was as a result of accommodating the Club strategies in re-positioning the brand.
In the 2012/13 season, as the club had finally relocated to Limpopo, it was expected that the Rise and Shine were to fight for Promotion to the PSL with Chairman, multimillionaire businessman, Mr Johnny Mogaladi began acquiring the services of decent players eager to realize this dream.
But when all was said and done for the grueling season, tragedy struck with the team losing four of its players to a horrific car accident that shocked the football fraternity.
Koketso Takalo, Robert Mphuti, Moeketsi Nthete and Silverster Mpkatsane were unlucky not to see the end of the day after the team minibus was hit by a car, allegedly driven by a drunk driver as they were returning home after playing to a draw against FC AK.
The players responded swiftly as they returned with a bang. Not only did the players start winning matches, they played with maturity and surprised their competitors and when City clinched a spot for promotion against Roses FC away from home, tears of joy flooded all over the place to cap a touching but remarkable season.
With the league chairman Dr Irvin Khoza presenting City with their deserving trophy and players such as Essau Kanyenda taking the Player of the Season and the Leading Goal Scorer Award, it was clear how adversity was turned into charm as the team was now the heart and soul of Limpopo in the PSL.
In the 2013/2014 season, the season might have not started well for the newly promoted side as they lost their first five league matches but managed to return to winning ways at the expense of Ajax Cape Town to record their historical first win in the PSL and move away from the basement.
The chairman took time to dig deeper into his pockets in gathering support for his team purchasing transportation and tickets for fans.
As if that was not enough, City recorded a massive turnaround in supporters when they played their first knockout competition match against Kaizer Chiefs with a sizable and appetizing crowd
In the 2014/2015 season, the team finished in position 15 that qualified for PSL Play offs. City managed to win the play offs and maintained The PSL Status.
In the 2015/2016 season, the Rise And Shine finished 12th on the PSL Log table at the end of the season.
In the 2016/2017 season, Polokwane City qualified for the MTN 8 for the first time after finishing in position 6 on the PSL log, their highest finish since their establishment.