He not only loves them for their nimble foot on the ball but also cares about their well-being – on and off the pitch. When his players at DRA Peacemakers Football Club get injured, he goes out of his way to find the money to pay the doctor’s bills.
He also goes out of his way to ensure the players get jobs in the various companies in South Africa and, particularly, Johannesburg of DRA Global, an international mining engineering group. This is part of his wish to see them put food on the table for their families and even relatives. When word goes out about vacancies, Mthethwa ensures his players, whom he imparts measurable discipline to, are first in line.
Thanks to a director at DRA, Rodney Drew, Mthethwa has been able to grow the Peacemakers. “He is the [person] I originally approached to start the team and he immediately believed in me. He took a chance on me. Rodney has been my support and a big role model in my life. He has helped so many in the Alex community.”
Mthethwa receives a yearly donation of R120 000, which he carefully budgets so the team can get through a year of training, tournaments, soccer kit, league joining fees, plus food and transport during matches.
He is diligent and prudent with the management of the funds to make the budget work. But sometimes there are unforeseen challenges, such as doctors’ bills for injuries, and food for the unemployed soccer players who will otherwise go home hungry.
Fortunately, they have Mthethwa who, if the budget doesn’t allow, forks out of his own pocket rather than see his men suffer. “When I am finding the budget a challenge, my mentor Rodney helps me find solutions,” he explained.
Spending money on the Peacemakers has paid off for the mining engineering group, as it has turned out to be a great investment for DRA because of the branding at all the matches. Over the years, playing tournaments and leagues, Mthethwa and his team have brought three respectable trophies home to DRA.
“My goal is to see our players go on to play in professional teams. I dream about seeing them on TV one day,” Mthethwa said.
“Many professional players used to play in the streets as youngsters and look at where they are today.”
Mthethwa said his rule was simple …
“There is no place for alcohol in my house and it must only be about soccer.”
So, the bigger the Peacemakers’ reputation grows, the more attention the DRA brand gets. It’s a win-win situation which has been built from the love of a game, the care of a community and one man who has quite literally walked in the soccer boots of his previously unemployed players.
Details: Zylvah Makola 011 896 1818; zylvah@listenup.co.za
