“We all have dreams. But in order to make dreams come into reality, it takes an awful lot of determination, dedication, self-discipline, and effort.” -Jesse Owens
Mzwakhe Johannes Mtimkulu
Names: Mzwakhe Johannes Surname: Mtimkulu DOB:1988/04/2
Current Club: Magesi Football Club Previous Clubs: Baroka FC, Winners Park FC both in the then Vodacom League, Mpumalanga Black Aces FC- loaned to Amazayoni FC & Soshanguve Shine FC.
Jersey number: 11 Social Media Presence: Mzwakhe Johannes Mtimkulu
Mzwakhe Mtimkulu from Boitumelo in the Vaal Triangle is a true example of a persistence. With a long history in South Africa’s semi-professional leagues, he has never let the shut door define the rest of his football career. Ever persistent, his path is more brighter having recently led Limpopo side Magesi FC to the National First Division, here he shares more about his journey & ambitions…
On the step up from amateur football & the journey that followed….
Mzwakhe Mtimkulu: It all started in 2008 if I am not mistaken. I started at Baroka FC and I played two seasons then I moved to Winners Park FC for a period of 1 season. I then had a trials at University of Pretoria (Amatuks) and they promised to sign me but the move did not happen. I went back to Winners Park FC for another season. 2013 I signed with Aces but I did not play so I was loaned to Amazayoni FC after a season I then asked to go play for Soshanguve Sunshine FC. Aces then terminated and I found myself at home for a period of two seasons as I had no team. 2015/16 season I signed with Magesi FC and yeah we got promoted to NFD.
On what has kept him going all along & if he ever thought of giving up?
Mzwakhe Mtimkulu: Yes,it was not simple for me but I had to keep hustling until things fell into place hey. Honestly I did want to give up but people around me kept on encouraging me, so that gave me hope & I told myself I would keep on trying again & again.
On how his move to Magesi FC happened & the teams triumphant 2015/16 season?
I worked with Coach Jacky Ledwaba at Winners Park FC, so Coach Jacky called me to Magesi FC to come work with him. Everything was well last season I must say considering the fact that I played most of the league games and we won 99% of them. Winning the promotion indeed felt great too.
On his career lowlight & highlight thus far?
Mzwakhe Mtimkulu: My lowlight was definitely at Aces, due to fact that I never played at all and the highlight was last seasons promotion to the NFD.
Winning promotion with Magesi FC ranks as Mzwakhe's highlight
On the team’s & his goals for this season & upcoming years?
Mzwakhe Mtimkulu: For the team its maintaining the status for this season,then next season we looking to go to the Premier Soccer League. I would like to see myself playing for one of the big teams.
Mzwake’s favourites…
•In my spare time, I enjoying watching television.
•My favourite music include the Gospel, Hip hop & Soul music genres.
•My favourite Vaal-born footballers are Thabo Rakhale and Thabo Monyamane, of Orlando Pirates FC & Supersport United FC respectively.
Vaal Diski 9~Nine is proud of Vaal-born Mzwakhe,we wish him all the best as he continues to fly the Vaal flag high ⚽
Striking the Balance with Tumelo Mokwena is a Vaal Diski 9~Nine feature every Monday….
A good morning to the elders, sisters, brothers & football fanatics. We head into the last week of September & there are only three months remaining of the year 2016, indeed time flies.
Ubuntu-Our Heritage…
September is celebrated as Heritage month in our country & it often sees the embracing of our different cultures & traditions. Throughout this month we have worn different regalia & observed different customs based on our various traditions but I stand to be corrected that we all have so much similarity. If we were to go through all the various people of South Africa, mostly we share the same morals & principles, its just that we package them differently.
There is no doubt that as Africans, Ubuntu is a huge part of our heritage. It is indeed a trait we ought to embrace more often. It is part of who we are. Ubuntu asks of us to contribute in each others lives to have a stronger, unified & progressive community. Ubuntu speaks to the empowerment of others in all ways we can, let us take from this heritage month a rediscovery of who we are & be the vehicles of change we can become. On our road to the top let us walk & rally fellow brothers & sisters. Africans, Ubuntu is our heritage. Let us heed the call of selflessness!!!
Until next week lets Maintain the Balance
Vaal Diski 9~Nine Ambassador Tumelo Mokwena writes in his capacity as a Footballer, Postgraduate & devoted Christian
“Winners don’t do different things. They do things differently “.-Shiv Khera
Player profile
Sibusiso Phiri
Name: Sibusiso Phiri DOB: 21-01-1996 Nickname: Super
Club: Cape Town All Stars FC (National First Division) Position: Midfielder Jersey number: 15
Previous club/s: VUT, Mamelodi Sundowns Development , Bidvest Wits Development team,Bloemfontein Celtics Multi Diski Challenge & Celtic Colts (ABC Motsepe League team). Social Media Presence: Sibusiso Super on Facebook
The journey to professional football is often long & challenging, hence when a player is given an opportunity they ought to give all their best. Having been coached by legendary midfielders like Mlungisi “Prof” Ngubane, Godfrey Sapula & Charles Yohane, there is no is doubt Unitas Park’s Sibusiso ‘Super’ Phiri has a lot to offer. Read on about his recent move to Cape Town & football journey…
On how Cape Town has been like thus far?
Sibusiso Phiri: Cape Town is good Bro, I can’t complain its just that the weather this side changes every now and then.
Working under the legendary Mlungisi 'Professor' Ngubane
On how his move to Cape Town All Stars FC came about?
Sibusiso ‘Super’ Phiri: Bra Lucky Mhlathe took me for an assessment there, a week after the league closed then coach Mlungisi Ngubane was impressed. He invited me to join the team during pre-season & it was during pre-season that’s when he signed me obviously talking to Celtic first then the two parties came to an agreement then I signed at Cape Town All Stars FC.
On when he first met the round ball ⚽ & what has kept him focussed since?
Sibusiso ‘Super’ Phiri: I started playin g at a young age, ahh cant remember exactly at what age but I think I was in grade 3 playing for Arcon Park Primary School & for City Khubeka’s (legendary Conti Khubeka’s son) team. What has kept me going is my family & friends that believed that I can one day play soccer professionally, because I grew up around people who loved soccer & who had played soccer professionally for example my dad, Sailor Tshabalala, Conti & City Khubeka.
On when did he start believing/picturing himself as a pro player & if its always been his dream?
Sibusiso ‘Super’ Phiri: Yeah it has always been my dream. I started picturing myself as a pro when I got to play for Mamelodi Sundowns Development team.
On his time at Sundowns,how did he end up there & how was his stay at the club?
Sibusiso ‘Super’ Phiri: Before I went there I was playing for VUT under then Coach Tebello ‘Benza’ Kheswa, he was the one that took us on trials there. I think it was six of us (from VUT) then we went through the assessment for about a week then they chose me & Tshepo Ntlaba & the rest from Pretoria & Kwa-Zulu Natal.
On how he felt & how he would conclude his time at Sundowns?
Sibusiso ‘Super’ Phiri: Haha obviously I was happy not many youngings get the opportunity to play development football at a high stage. Great lessons learnt, I had a great time at Sundowns got to work under one of the best coaches I have ever met which is Godfrey Sapula learnt a lot from that guy. I also had an opportunity to work with Coach Rhulani Mokwena.
On how did the BidVest Wits move come to the picture & his overall experience?
Sibusiso ‘Super’ Phiri: The time I left sundowns coach Charles Yohane from Wits already knew me so he wanted me to come join the team. My time there was great what I enjoyed the most there is that their development structure is similar to the development structures in Europe.
On his move to Bloemfontein, how was it like playing in the Multi Choice Diski & did he believe that turning pro was on the horizon?
Sibusiso ‘Super’ Phiri: At Celtics I guess I wanted to go test myself if I could play away from Gauteng (my comfort zone). Playing MDC was a great experience.
Super in action
On how he would you describe his style of play?
Sibusiso ‘Super’ Phiri: Ahhhh that’s a difficult question but I’d say a midfielder who oo to keep the ball,long passes ,combination play & who simply would do anything in order for the team to come out victorious on a day.
On his ambitions for this season & for the upcoming years…
Sibusiso ‘Super’ Phiri: To play more games in my current team help the team win promotion get national call ups & when the time is right go play in the PSL or go play overseas.
On he handles challenges given he left home at an early age?
Sibusiso ‘Super’ Phiri: Eish it’s tough playing far from home but it also helps u grow as an individual.I do face challenges but every challenge that I face I overcome it.
Whose had the biggest influence in your career? •My parent.
What do you usually get up to during your time off? •Going to the movies & playing PlayStation.
Whose your favourite Vaal player? •Tshepo Ntlaba.
Vaal Diski 9~Nine salutes Sibusiso Phiri for flying the Vaal flag high. We wish him all the best in his career ⚽
Striking the Balance with Tumelo Mokwena is a Vaal Diski 9~Nine feature every Monday…
Good morning to our elders, sisters, brothers & football fanatics. I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of Vaal Diski 9~Nine to send our condolences to the Tshabalala family of the untimely passing of their son, Mandoza. Rest in peace, pioneer of kwaito music!!!
Being Specific…
This morning I would like to share on us needing to be more specific in our goals to reach them. In the book of John chapter 5, we come across a tale of a man who was standing at the riverbank for a long time until Jesus appeared & asked him what he was doing to the man’s sudden response that he needed someone to help get in the river. We need as a people to be specific in our goals so as to reach them, many a time assistance comes along but we fail to give a detailed vision of our aspirations. The Lord answers our prayers but because we are not specific, we often do not revel in our various spheres. The opportunity will always be there, it is what we do when we get it that either minimises or maximises us in that sphere. Being specific can be compared to having a plan, without a plan we are often all over the place.
Being specific calls for us to develop & make use of our own methodologies, what might make you tick, might only take out average in me. The chance of being specific, speaks to an important topic of us needing to know ourselves. By being specific in our ways we are already 1-nil up in the pursuit of our goals.
Vaal Diski 9~Nine Ambassador Tumelo Mokwena writes in his capacity as a Footballer,Postgraduate & devoted Christian
I am my own experiment. I am my own work of art -Madonna
On his plane trip to Czech Republic, how many hours it was & how was the journey overall?
Sipho Freddy: From OR Tambo International Airport to Europe, it took 12 hours then from France to Czech Republic it took an hour so in all its 13 hours. The bus trip was two hours long. SAA Airline has backsit tv’s so I mainly watched movies then listened to music.
On the hotel arena & general reception…
Sipho Freddy: Well, it was good 🙂 we had great moments with all best freestylers from different countries. But the main problem was that the WI-FI wasn’t good.
His views on Czech Republic as a country…
Sipho Freddy: It’s an awesome country and I realised that we different from them. In terms of the food, physical growth as human beings and also weather conditions.
On his good results given it was his first International tournament & what his goal was going to the SuperBall?
Sipho Freddy: It was all about getting experience since well it was my 1st time in the world finals and I was able to be the 1st South African to make in to the top 50 overall at the SuperBall.
Sipho's results at the SuperBall
On growing up & having always aspired to be a ball juggler/freestylist & who was his inspiration?
Sipho Freddy: Well, from the very 1st time I saw a TV advert Stumbo whereby renowned jugglers Chris Njokwane and Kamalio were showing their moves and then I got attracted, then I saw Bingo from Sebokeng doing his moves live. I started to believe that its real I can do it too.
On how his progress has impacted his life?
Sipho Freddy: Well I am even more motivated and I am willing to increase my level to the next level.
On the support of his family & loved ones & they reacted to his dream & career path?
Sipho Freddy: Based on my family yes they really did support me with everything. They would call me via imo application video call and we would talk and share blessings all together. My loved one she was always behind me.
Sipho in Czech Republic
On how he feels about being invited to his second International Freestyle tournament in one year?
Sipho Freddy: I am so excited but most important thing is to kill those beasts I saw their level and came back to train hard so yep this time I am willing to push even more harder than before.
On his aim at the American Panna & Freestyle tournament…
Sipho Freddy: I aim to put South Africa high in history of freestyle football⚽
Sipho's recent invitation to the American Panna & Freestyle tournament
Be not afraid of greatness. Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon ‘em -William Shakespeare
Full names: Augustine Thabo Surname: Makalakalane DOB: 15 September 1963
Former clubs played for: Sharpeville Pirates FC (amateur), Blue Bells FC, Vaal Professionals FC, Jomo Cosmos FC, FC Zurich, FC Baden (both Switzerland), Mamelodi Sundowns FC.
Former clubs Coached: Vaal University of Technology, Black Leopards FC, University of Johannesburg, Banyana Banyana (South African Women’s National team), North West University Mafikeng Soccer Institute.
Qualifications: Diploma in Education, Diploma in Sports Sciences, Diploma in Sports Management, International Preliminary Coaching Diploma(inclusive of Goalkeeper Coaching Course), FIFA Futuro I, II, III, SAFA Level I, II, III.
I meet up with the legendary former Bafana Bafana midfielder Augustine Makalakalane, he was South Africa’s first black football player export abroad of the ’90s era, thus paving the way for an influx of South African players including the legendary duo of Lucas Radebe & Philemon Masinga, to play in Europe in years that followed. The appointment occurs at the home of one of his coaching prodigy’s. Chairs are nicely placed outside as we sit with our backs facing the sun, so as to enjoy the rays of the big hot ball given the winter season has faded, what follows is the tale of Mthakhathi as his affectionately known in the football fraternity, take your time & let your eyes roll as this is his story…
Early years in Vuka section, Sharpeville…
In many black townships in the late 1980’s to the period prior, due to the restrictive untenable apartheid laws, the black populace could only find solace through football, music & drama plays famously known as “Sketch”. In Sharpeville, Vuka section a future international player was part of the local group of boys often playing football in the dusty streets, given the black populace was under restriction this meant they came to only know about sport through football. “Football for us was bread & butter, it was a part us, a culture, a way of life. It was a social pastime from the elders knocking off from work to us the young after school” Augustine Makalakalane firmly points out. The black child could only afford the round ball as their toy back then, it was not only the cheapest but the most safe & convenient tool a black child could be found with. On how the football bug caught him, Augustine reflects “My father was a footballer in what was the Industrial League(a league for for industrial companies), he was employed at a company called Steelwork, so whenever he came back, he would bring his football kit & I was always tasked in washing his football boots. My brother was also a footballer but never made it professional, so I would imagine myself in my father’s kit & football was in the family so that motivated me more especially when I came across his kits”.
Highly motivated & often plying their football for many hours on end, the move to organised football was propelled by Augustine & his group of mates through their constant excited screams of “pasa, pasa, pasa” (translates as pass), as they participated in streets knockout football known as one pole(with a brick being used as the goalpost). “Our move from one-pal(pole) came about due to the noise we generated because of our passion, so we often played in front of a Correctional Officer’s house Ntate Tau, but the problem was that he mostly worked night shift so out of frustration of our noise disturbance his solution was the purchasing of a soccer ball, so as to fend us off to a distant place to allow for him to get his well-deserved rest”. The tale of the soccer ball heralded a renewed hope for the Vuka boys in that they even cleaned up the nearby spot (present day informal settlement Phuma Sbhethane) which had become a place of dumping, so determined they soon had a standard replica of a football field but the gravel version of it. Once the field was there, the black youth began a revolution, every street gave birth to a team, Mthakathi was soon plying his trade for Happy Stars from Lehoko Street, whilst the other teams of the time were Jumpers, Mighty Blues, Rangers & close to 20 other teams. This emergence of teams soon saw a host of organisation, “In football we have levels, so the new teams had to start somewhere there was a field known as ditapoleng (meaning potatoes) it was sort of initiation (he laughs) then there was the ditamatie (meaning tomatoes) field then ultimately the A-ground where well established talented players were playing. This newfound football would last for a year, later as conditions became worse life reached a standstill as the struggle riots affected the normal yet abnormal situation in the region & entire country. Augustine being a student at the time, was taken under the guidance of legendary Raynold Muller & subsequently played for Blue Bells in festival tournaments then one year in the Federation League.
Present day Phuma Sbhethane informal settlement where Mthakathi learned his football trade
Journey to greatness begins…
Legendary former Kaizer Chiefs FC defender & a son of the Vaal Triangle, Simon ‘Bull’ Lehoko approached Augustine to come join his project as he assembled some of the great players in the Vaal Triangle to rebuild Vaal Professionals FC with Johannes “Man” Direro and 10 other players from Real X20. The team boasted an array of quality players like the coloured duo, the late Neil Jansen & Patrick Louw, though the apartheid regime was gradually in a state of demise, the masses still had to be careful more so at Vaal Professionals in particular a player like Patrick Louw, who had to use the alias of King Mohlakoane due to the apartheid’s group areas act law. The year 1985 saw the biggest South African football fraternity spilt when the then National Professional Soccer League club’s demanded that the late Ntate George Thabe to resign given that he could not serve as chairman of both the NPSL & the then National Football Association (Sanfa). A declaration of independence by the Castle League clubs as well as the the support of then NPSL general-secretary Cyril Kobus for the breakaway league between January 31 & February 1 1985 would subsequently see the resignation by Ntate Thabe as chairman of the NPSL on February 10 with him proclaiming “It was to try & restore unity in South African soccer”. By 19 February ’85 a new titled National Soccer League is formally constituted with the Castle League made up of 18 clubs. March 6 saw Ntate Thabe fight back & claim that the NPSL would continue with 18 clubs. This saw a number of clubs have their namesakes & its players join teams of the NPSL, notable examples were the late Ace Ntsoelengoe leave Chiefs to form his own team in the NPSL called Ace Mates, Ace Mnini would leave the real Swallows & join the NPSL version The Birds.
This split did affect the players immensely as the NSL & NPSL were a complete opposite. One league had the full kit & sponsors, whilst the had little to nothing. One league had the majority TV rights & the other had to settle for crumbs. There was even a time when the broadcasters screened both league on one channel in half screen, whilst halftime would see the Castle League’ Abdul Bhamjee entertain viewers prompting callers at home to give more time to the Castle League. In 1987 whilst watching Chiefs play & Teenage Dladla mesmerising opponents in the Castle League, Mthakathi was grew tired of the NPSL given they had not been paid & believe he could play & compete in the Castle League. Education remained key & during this time Mthakathi was enrolled at college pursuing a Diploma in Education. The last game of the NPSL season came & went, players of Vaal Professionals FC were promised a post season ceremony were they would receive lunch boxes & R1000-00. Mthakathi attended the ceremony but left early on as the Castle League champions Cosmos were conducting trials in Primrose on the same day. Mthakathi arrived at the trials accompanied by teammate Mabena ‘Love’ Monnakgotla, they found about 19 teams in action & it became difficult to participate but they did, held their own & subsequently were shortlisted for more assessments on Monday.
Augustine Makalakalane
Exit Vaal Pros, Enter Jomo Cosmos…
Having attended the trials on a Saturday, on Sunday he had the task of heading to the leadership of Vaal Pros to go collect his lunchbox & R1000-00. Now Vaal Pros was legendary Bull Lehoko’s baby helped by many of the townships elders & businessman. In particular Ntate Steve, who owned a fleet of minibus who often donated with groceries, Dr.Mogkhesi who had a surgey & assisted with players injuries & a butcher by the name of Ntate Mokgethi who would supply meat. Mthakathi a staunch Roman Catholic, straight after church went to the butchery to go collect his lunch box from the elders. He entered the butchery his jolly self & came across the doctor first who he greeted & the doctor quickly responded. At the far end of the butchery there stood Ntate Lehoko with a newspaper , as Mthakathi went up to declare he was there to collect his lunchbox and money, Ntate Lehoko opened the days newspaper to Mthakathi’s shock, It was a picture of Jomo Sono with the two Vaal Professionals FC players, worst of all it was on the front page. Mthakhati was stunned, Ntate Lehoko was angry. The two had a huge disagreement, both had a point, one had aspirations to mover to higher heights whilst the old man felt proper procedure was not followed. Mthakathi aged 21, joined Jomo Cosmos after successful assessments, so talented he was he hit the ground running at Cosmos that season becoming the top goalscorer, player of the season & remarkably two fastest goals against Kaizer Chiefs FC & Moroka Swallows FC during a Charity Spectacular in Durban. Mthakathi reminisces: “I felt that was the right move for me to realise my potential. It was challenging as every morning I would be travelling to school then a taxi to Westgate which then I would wait for the the club’s taxi to pick-up me. I never failed”. With newfound fame & glamour, Mthakathi remained humble & all of his earnings had to go back to his parents. “I used to give my salary envelope to my family & we would pray for it. I only got change but it was normal & not a burden on me,it was my family after all” ⚽
Catch part two of “Celebrating the Legend ~ Augustine Makalakalane” where Augustine Makalakalane & the late Thomas Madigage take Cosmos & Scotland by storm.
Club Focus is a Vaal Diski 9~Nine feature every Wednesday…
Live neither in the past nor in the future, but let each day’s work absorb your entire energies, and satisfy your widest ambition. – Sir William Osler
Club origin: Vuka, Sharpeville Club year formed: 2013 Owner: Miss Ntswaki Regina Thinane
Divisions: Under 13, 15 & 19 Club home ground: Bedworthpark League competing in: Mayfair Football League
VIH FC Club Logo
2014-Year of the Vaal Italian Hunters FC ...
The journey taken by club owner Miss Ntswaki “Coach Manana” Thinane in football has proven one of life’s greatest lessons “by working hard & smart on your idea or concept, something ought to give”.
On constant observation of young boys consistently going off the rails as soon as they reached adolescence, Coach Manana was challenged to bring a turnaround to her community. Armed with certifications from the Dreamfields,the international acclaimed Future Championships tournament coaching clinics & the South African Football Coaches Association (SAFCA), coupled with her prior coaching stint at Lebowa Primary School, Coach Manana’s passion drove her in forming Vuka’s Vaal Italian Hunters Football Club. Like many before her, the sight of inactivity & often mischievous ways of the youth propelled her to contribute to society through the worlds most watched sport: football.
The early days of the club were very challenging on all aspects from insufficient equipment, grasping club management & often financial depletion. So firm in her beliefs, Coach Manana did not just want to see Vaal Italian Hunters FC become like any other club & sought ways to distinguish the club from others. The year 2014 saw the team register to play in the Local Football Association’s league, but soon Coach Manana was not entirely happy with the level of competition from other clubs & like a concerned football mentor she researched nearby leagues which could offer competitive action so as to assist in the development of the players. She then registered the club with the Mayfair Football League as an opportunity to expose the young footballers to a vast amount of competition & various playing systems.
Named Vaal Italian Hunters FC due to the way they hunt the ball & dazzle with style like the Italians
Progress!!!
Competing in the Mayfair Football League has allowed the Vaal Italian Hunters an opportunity to be exposed to the Orlando Pirates Football Club development sides, so impressed was Coach Augusto Palacios (Head of OPFC development)with the work of Vaal Italian Hunters FC,both teams now have a partnership going with the sides often playing against each other & two players already heading to the Buccaneers. Coach Manana has introduced regular camps during holidays for the players as a way to expose the young men to a whole lot of experiences. The club is on the rise with constant invitations from a host of academies in South Africa.
Professionalism!!!
The Club takes the welfare of players very seriously & has a well managed process of documentation when a player is joining the club. Thorough work gets done on a player joining the club with a parent/guardian needed before a player can even kick a ball. Players pay a registration of R100-00 whilst R250-00 gets charged for merchandise such as kit & tracksuits. The club won the hearts of the Bedworthpark community which then put pressure on the Emfuleni muncipality to install football goalposts & regularly cut the grass. The club has a daily register for players training & match attendance whilst it hosts monthly meetings coupled with player reports to the parents. Renowned Vaal Triangle Dr.Hlanyane has backed the club & constantly offers the club medical assistance. So advanced is the club that the majority of their training sessions & matches are taken videos of & often watched at the home of Coach Manana on Friday meeting days whilst offering life skills to the young boys. The same videos Coach Manana exchanged with her Brazilian coaching counterparts during Future Championships Coaching Clinics with the Brazilian coaches concluding an impressive & educative feedback report to her & asking to go to the worlds football capital with them. On the issue of player guidance, once a term, report cards are checked & meetings with schools are arranged to check up on the progress of the players & timetables worked out.
Aims & challenges…
The club is in the process of registering as an Non Profit Organisation (NPO) whilst its long term plans are to reach the higher leagues of South African football. Issues of sponsorship continues to be a major Achilles heel, especially when it comes to food packages & transportation on the club’s match days.
Though new kids on the block, the club has steadily progressed to become one of the Vaal’s most promising & advanced teams. Though they might not compete locally, the pride they carry is of the Vaal Triangle & have constantly represented the cradle of human rights region with aplomb wherever they play. Hail the Vaal Italian Hunters Football Club.
Vaal Diski 9~Nine Salutes the Vaal Italian Hunters FC brand,wishing the club growth & prosperity ⚽
Striking the Balance with Tumelo Mokwena is a Vaal Diski 9~Nine feature every Monday…
Molweni* our elders, sisters, brothers & all football fanatics. Today is the 12 of September 2016, marking the year’s 38th week. 39 years ago on this day one of Africa’s greatest leaders Bantu Stephen Biko was brutally murdered by the then apartheid regime for his strong beliefs in the the fight against an unjust & untenable system. Though late, he left us gigabytes of information towards our mental emancipation, let us take heed.
Transformation!!!
This morning I would like to share on how important it is for us to constantly transformation especially given how life constantly transforms. Transformation is often made difficult by us but we ought to understand that it is a necessity so that we can progress. Transformation is not a whole change up of oneself but rather the doing of things differently due to newfound experiences. When we get promotion in whatever sector in our journey of life, we ought to transform. The matric class of 2016 cannot simply remain the people they are this year without transforming & hope to make an impact in their various endeavours next year. Transformation means the alignment of oneself to the conditions so as to thrive, we should not make the mistake of forgetting nor completely forsaking our identity & where we come from in the light of transformation.
A body builder undergoes transformation to his/her body because they would have transformed certain elements of themselves, in that if they were used to a nutrition plan of six eggs, it changes to twelve. In football it is the same, a good example is Coach Pitso Mosimane of Mamelodi Sundowns FC, there is n doubt he is a transformed coach then when he was in charge of the national team, Bafana Bafana. Due to new conditions in football, he is still Coach Pitso but with a bit of transformation he is more reloaded. His transformational agenda has had a great impact on him & his often victorious Sandawana outfit. Ladies & gentlemen, some way or the other we ought to transform, so as to be updated & have a greater impact in our roles. By transforming we allow the window of learning, an opportunity which can only better us & those around us. We simply cannot apply the same strategies to new ways.
Until next week,lets Maintain the Balance
Vaal Diski 9~Nine Ambassador Tumelo Mokwena writes in his capacity as a Footballer, Postgraduate & devoted Christian
Molweni* is an isiXhosa term for good morning/hello. isiXhosa is one of 11 official languages of South Africa.
“I do not want to die…until I have faithfully made the most of my talent and cultivated the seed that was placed in me until the last small twig has grown” – Kathe Kollwitz
Full names: Johannes Surname: Phadime DOB: 2/09/1967
Nickname: ‘Disco’ Former clubs played for: Real Hearts FC, Secunda Aces FC, Bloemfontein Celtic FC, Kaizer Chiefs FC, Manning Rangers FC
(Part 1)
I take a long journey to Ratanda in Heidelburg, the south of the Gauteng province. The reason of my journey? I am here to meet up with the area’s greatest footballer, Johannes ‘Disco’ Phadime. A legend of Kaizer Chiefs Football Club & the Vaal Triangle, it is no surprise that once I mention his name at the local taxi rank, the driver promises to directly deliver me to ‘Disco’s’ residence. I am warmly welcomed by the great ‘Disco’ & this is the tale of one of the Vaal’s greatest…
Disco Jersey 21(Photo credit - Gallo Images)
Grade 3, the year ‘Disco’ came to be…
Growing up football is not a choice, but a part of the boy child in many of South Africa’s townships. From playing spy-two lebota(an informal game where once a player is nutmegged he/she must try & touch a nearby wall as quick as possible so as to escape being smacked by fellow players) to one pole ( an informal game mostly played in the street with two teams using one brick each as goals to outplay each other), football is the only relief for many. Johannes Phadime, would like many before him be part of this township phenomenon, whenever he played on the then gravel streets he would try by all means to imitate the skills of his role-model legendary midfielder Joel ‘Ace’ Mnini of Moroka Swallows FC. Diminutive & skillful, Johannes Phadime finally had his talent recognised when playing for his lower Primary School team against another school in Bophelong in Vanderbijlpark. So dazzling he was that day, the following Monday morning at assembly an educator who had accompanied the team coined the nickname ‘Disco’ as he described Johannes Phadime’s performance.
First team…
Having shone at school football, ‘Disco’ needed to test himself at a local club & was soon part of Real Hearts FC, his first football club. He was the youngest & played with the likes of Sidwell Mabuya. Sadly due to the political unrest of the era, when the riots flared up ‘Disco’s family decided they would enrol him at a boarding school in Mpumalanga only to find out it was full. He then got a school in Mbalenhle in Secunda & he soon joined local side Secunda Aces FC which was then campaigning in the then NPSL, he was earning R200 & living with his grandfather while still focusing on his studies. During the school holidays he got an opportunity to play for Bloemfontein Young Tigers FC in a curtain raiser match for Bloemfontein Celtic FC. So impressive he was on the day that he impressed the legendary former owner of Bloemfontein Celtic FC, Ntate Petrus Molemela who then invited ‘Disco’ to come attend the 1985 Mainstay Cup(Nedbank Cup currently) final between Bloemfontein Celtic against African Wanderers which Celtic went on to win 2-1 after extra time.
Disco becomes Lesele-Sele…
‘Disco’ joined Bloemfontein Celtic FC together with another great in John ’10 %’ Serathi. ‘Disco’ was still at school & part of his contractual agreement stipulated that he would live with Ntate Molemela so as to focus on his studies. Before he joined Celtic, legendary Jomo Sono was highly interested but ‘Disco’ preferred the green & white of phunya sele-sele, treated like sons by Ntate Molemela with fellow teammate Lucas Skhosana , Disco reflects “I enjoyed my stay at Celtic, especially under Coach Dave Roberts who not only liked me but really had a big influence on my game & life.We were well taken care of & Ntate Molemela taught us so much about life”. With an improved salary given Celtic were campaigning in the then NSL, so passionate about football that money did not matter to Disco, every salary went to his family in Ratanda & only took the change. After serving Celtic with distinction for 5 years playing with the likes of Ernst Chirwali , interest from Kaizer Chiefs FC soon surfaced, Disco shares why Chiefs came knocking ” In all my years playing for Celtic, whenever we were up against Kaizer Chiefs FC, I always happened to be on the score sheet. I remember how I used to give Gardner Seale a tough time always when I came up against him. We challenged each other so much & it took out the best in both of us as we wanted to exit the stadium having made our teams proud”.
Johannes 'Disco' Phadime, still as fit & active today
(Disco runs away from Bloemfontein Celtic FC, Teenage Dladla finds his replacement – more in part 2 of ‘Celebrating the Legend~Johannes Phadime’)
Elevation with Aubrey Mapeka is a Vaal Diski 9~Nine feature every Wednesday…
A fruitful morning fellow champions, thank you for following Vaal Diski 9~Nine its inspiration Wednesday. Today I would like to share what I came across the internet as I was researching,I hope this uplifts your spirit & helps you pick up yourself and your dreams.
I draw strength from this story: “An elephant and a dog became pregnant at same time. Three months down the line the dog gave birth to six puppies. Six months later the dog was pregnant again, and nine months on it gave birth to another dozen puppies. The pattern continued, by the eighteenth month the dog approached the elephant questioning, “Are you sure that you are pregnant? We became pregnant on the same date, I have given birth three times to a dozen puppies and they are now grown to become big dogs, yet you are still pregnant. Whats going on?”. The elephant replied, “There is something I want you to understand. What I am carrying is not a puppy but an elephant. I only give birth to one in two years. When my baby hits the ground, the earth feels it. When my baby crosses the road, human beings stop and watch in admiration, what I carry draws attention. So what I’m carrying is mighty and great.”
Don’t lose faith when you see others receive answers to their prayers. Don’t be envious of others testimony. If you haven’t received your own blessings, don’t despair. Say to yourself “My time is coming and when it hits the surface of the earth, people shall yield in admiration.”
Vaal Diski 9-Nine 