Family comes before pro soccer for father
No regrets for father who chose family time ahead of becoming a soccer star.
Like any other boy growing up in the townships, Mandla Hamnca had ambitions to play top-flight soccer in the Professional Soccer League (PSL), but he had different calling.
His dazzling soccer skills and flamboyancy earned him the name of Spikiri (as in spyker in Afrikaans or ‘nail’) among his peers as well as soccer followers in Mohlakeng. Spikiri has also become famous for his wearing spectacles on the soccer field in the same manner as former Dutch international player Edgar Davids.
Recently he organised the first of its kind Father and Son 5km fun walk and run at Mohlakeng and also the Valentine lunch for the elderly at Mohlakeng Old Age Home.
“Last year I had put up a friendly six-a-side soccer game between the Bosasa inmates and Mohlakeng players consisting of former professional players Kelebogile Lele Mabe (Orlando Pirates) and Karabo Stich Tshepe (Black Leopards).”
He added it was a way to motivate the inmates and added there is such a thing a second chance in life.
Spikiri was employed at the Bosasa Youth Centre in Mogale City and this seems to have motivated him to develop a sense of humanity towards the inmates who are faced with challenges. He values family time and good parenting, but feels the responsibility is not solely on mothers.
“The father also has a role to play in bringing up the kids. That was the reason behind the Father and Son Walk and Run. The sport can provide a form of bonding between father and son and even daughter, and family as a whole.
“We also organise the annual father and son tour at a resort in Krugersdorp, which is also ideal to help find what is missing within our society. There we play a soccer match between the fathers and sons as well as daughters, and the kids have time to play on rides and jumping castles. We eat and drink, but no alcohol.”
He has earned himself the Man of the Year award last year in November for playing an important role in the community. He has no regrets for not making it to the top, as he has deemed it fit to be a community activist.
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