TZANEEN: Tzaneen Primary School’s Makhubela brothers are stars on the horizon

The Makhubela brothers from Tzaneen are two great sports talents with a bright future. Byatso (13) and Ndzalo (11) are both learners at Tzaneen Primary School and are currently in Grade 7 and Grade 5 respectively. Both are versatile athletes and excel in various sports, ranging from athletics, rugby, soccer and hockey. They have a natural talent and are motivated when they achieve, their father, Dr Ronnie Makhubela, says.  

  “As a father my role is to support and continue to encourage and motivate them to go the extra mile and reach greater heights in whatever sporting endeavor they intend to pursue,” he said.  

  Makhubela’s eldest son, Mpohlo (16), who is in Grade 10 in Merensky, also participates in soccer, athletics and rugby at Merensky High School but is not as involved as his younger brothers. “He is good but he lacks interest,” he said. The boys lost their mother in March last year shortly after the family returned from the National Primary School Athletics’ Championship in Germiston. “My wife died suddenly. It was totally unexpected as she was not sick.” Talking about it evokes a great deal of emotions. “We are affected by the loss since she was our pillar of strength, she was caring and had a loving spirit. We are incomplete without her presence,” said Makhubela. According to their father the boys are inquisitive and also excel in other fields such as art. They are also competent singers, “but it needs to be nurtured”, he says. Their sports idol is the soccer player, Christiano Renaldo of Juventus. “At home they like to practice their soccer skills. They like physical activity and are forever outside practicing their skills,” their father concludes.