From rural village to the continent of Africa
Tsomo-born former sports reporter is now head of broadcasting services at Caf
In one week, Luxolo September travels to up to three African countries, doing what to many is a dream job.
Tsomo-born September is the head of broadcasting services (commercial division) at Caf (Confederation of African Football, the custodians of the beautiful game on the continent.
“This week, I was in Cairo on Saturday, flew to Algeria Sunday, then Tunisia Tuesday, then Ivory Coast on Thursday,” he said.
He was once a sports reporter at the Daily Dispatch very early in his career.
“On Friday, I flew to Morocco and I will be in Cairo again the following week.
“I consider myself really fortunate — I’m a guy from a rural village — born in a place with no water and lights.”
His boss is SA billionaire Patrice Motsepe, who is the Caf president.
Both September and Motsepe cut their teeth in SA’S domestic football world before being elevated to the continental stage.
His boss may own top-flight team Mamelodi Sundowns FC but September also knows a lot about dealing with big teams, having worked as the media manager for the Premier Soccer League before jetting off to Egypt.
September quashes the illusion that working in football administration means watching matches all day.
“One of the biggest misconceptions is that our job is to watch 90 minutes of football.
“We do that too but that’s only a fraction of our job, less than 2% of my role. It’s a super stressful role but we are very lucky to be doing this.
“My department brings 50%+ of Caf revenues.
“Caf generates billions of rands annually in media rights sales (TV) and sponsorships, and my department is responsible for this, so you can imagine the stress.
“This money is used for the development of football in Africa. I am the first SA to work at Caf [since 1957], and the first in my part of the world to ascend to such a role.”
Relocating to Egypt was a big move and the role is the most challenging for September, who pursued media studies at Walter Sisulu University and finance and management at Wits University.
“Caf has been an extremely challenging terrain — different to anything I have ever done.
“I work seven days a week ... non-stop. But one of the most interest things is, I get to interact with people from many different countries daily.
“Now I’m part of a movement — led by my boss and president Dr Patrice Motsepe — to make African football globally competitive.”
Out of his suits, September can be spotted toiling the land back home in his Tsomo village.
“I bought and started a farm with business partners about six years ago — Tsomo-kei Farm.”
September credits his great grandmother Mamkiwa for his love of reading and his grandfather Eric September for his business mind.
But a number of Eastern Cape sports administrators have also inspired him.
“I was inspired by Sturu Pasiya, Ace Ncobo, Zola Dunywa, Banzi Siyongwana and many others of that generation. “I so wanted to be like them.” Managing his hectic schedule takes practice and multitasking.
“You don’t have to do only one thing.
“You don’t have to do what you studied but at the same time what you studied can be an added skill to your current role.”
He said the pressure was a challenge.
“This role is about delivery because you are dealing with billions of people’s money daily.”
“You also need to do a lot of reading be it on contracts and so on, and again Dr Motsepe does not settle for less, he pushes, he has attention to detail and high standards.”
He said his greatest highlight has been working with big organisations including Fifa, the Premier Soccer League and working with the likes of Dr Irvin Khoza and Kaizer Motaung.
“These are my heroes. Dr Khoza is one of the smartest individuals I’ve ever met – I’m lucky to have worked for him. In 2018 I was voted as the sports personality of the year in administration at the sports award and that was a big deal for a village boy.
“I have met my heroes and worked with them, I have enjoyed the process of carrying their bags.”
September said young people who aspired to pursue a career in sport needed to focus on being specialists.
“Firstly, quit sport administration as a subject at school, I am sorry.
“Focus on being a specialist, study law with a bias to sport law.
“Study finance but understand the commercial side of the business, if you are doing marketing , focus on sport marketing.
“In that way, you have a skill marketable,” he said.