Former Orlando Pirates striker Phumudzo Manenzhe would not have completed his education were it not for his father’s intervention when the Buccaneers came knocking on the door to sign the then 15-year-old.
Speaking at the launch of the Carling Black Label Class of its Own educational initiative meant to help South African men that have not completed matric do so, Manenzhe said he is grateful that his father took a strong stance when it came to matters of schooling.
“At first I never like his intervention as I thought they would not agree to it and that I might end up losing the great opportunity of being a Buccaneer but when I reflect on it now, I realise that he made a very wise decision,” Manenzhe said.
Manenzhe narrated the then ‘guerrilla tactics’ of signing players, saying the Buccaneers had come knocking at their Venda village home in Limpopo with a briefcase full of money in the regions of R60 000.
“My father quickly accepted the proposition but when all was said done, he asked them whether the deal includes them taking me to school. When the officials somewhat hesitated with an answer, he called my name and asked me to bring back that briefcase which I had been asked to stash away.
“These men are not serious. If they want you, they must find a good school for you in Johannesburg or the deal is off. I was a bit perturbed by the new stance of my father as I was eager to go and play for Orlando Pirates. You know, coming from a rural village and you go and play for a top team like Pirates was every boy’s dream.”
Before Manenzhe could reach for the briefcase in one of the bedrooms, his father called back and ordered him to leave briefcase there. “Your suitors have finally agreed to take you to school and the deal is sealed,” he said.
Manenzhe said this was how he got to finish his education. “If it was not for his insistence, I am sure I would be in the nine-million statistics just mentioned today of men without matric.
“I urge those without to do the wise thing and take advantage of this Carling opportunity,” said Manenzhe, now a soccer analyst for the SABC. “This is just how much my old man valued education. Matric is worth its weight in gold.”
