EVER PRESENT
Polokwane City defender Thabisobi Semenya was one of only two players to feature in every minute of all 30 league games this past season – an incredible feat for a footballer who turns 35 in September and who suffered the tragedy of losing his wife in a c
Thabiso “Touch” Semenya was born in Moletjie Mashobohleng – about 50km outside Polokwane – and is the fourth-born in a family of seven children, two of whom have since passed away. Both of his younger brothers Kgothatso and Keletso play football, though the former has since decided to quit and work in the taxi industry. Thabiso has another name, Ramasela, which was not included on his birth certificate.
After completing his primary schooling he attended a Catholic-run boarding school named PAX near Polokwane, where he matriculated in 1999. He immediately enrolled at what was then known as the University of the North (now University of Limpopo) to study a Bachelor of Science, but dropped out in his second year without telling his mother after deciding to pursue his football dream. Though he has thought about completing his studies, the merging of the University of the North with Medunsa to form the University of Limpopo meant a change in the curriculum, thus rendering his previous credits null and void.
Pursuing a career in football, he went to play for Bushbuckridge-based Mpumalanga Highlanders in the then Vodacom League (now ABC Motsepe League) while doubling up by doing a leadership course with the Bohlabela District Municipality.
From there he went on to play for Barberton City Stars in the same league, where his day job for three years was as an assistant miner dealing with explosives underground. He did the 05h3013h00 shift, earning R2 800-R3 500 every month, alongside journeyman striker Aleni Lebyane. Orlando Pirates defender Ayanda Gcaba also played for the same club. “The time I spent working underground shaped me into becoming the responsible and wise adult that I am now,” says Semenya.
Semenya was spotted by Free State Stars at the 2008 Vodacom League play-offs in Klerksdorp, but was then loaned out to sister club Carara Kicks in the First Division after being deemed “too light” for a central defender by the Ea Lla Koto coaches at the time.
After three years playing in the National First Division for Carara Kicks, he strategically went AWOL and headed for what eventually became a three-month trial at Platinum Stars, where he was eventually signed on a three-month deal in September 2011. That contract was then extended by a further six months until the end of the 2011/12 season, after which he was handed a two-year deal with an option of another two years.
Through his early days at Stars, he was even accommodated by club administrator Susan Phala – mother to SuperSport United midfielder Thuso. “Mom Susan” also had Vuyo Mere in her house.
Semenya now owns two houses of his own – one in Springs, Gauteng, and another in Limpopo. Semenya, who is very active on social media, has two children – Thando (4) and Buhle (2) – with his late wife who passed away in March last year in a car accident in Rustenburg.
”Baggio”, as he is also known in football circles, speaks seven languages – Xitsonga, Setswana, Sesotho, isiZulu, isiSwati, English and his home language Sepedi. He is now taking TshiVenda lessons from his teammates Rodney Ramagalela and Rendani Ndou.
Though he hails from the same area and shares the same surname with world renowed middle distance runner Caster Semenya, the 34-year-old defender says he is not sure if they are possibly related. “I’ve heard the elders talking about her being a relative, but I honestly cannot go around claiming that I know how we are related,” he owns up. The area of Moletjie has also fed the PSL with flying winger Tlou Segolela of Polokwane City and Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Jackson Mabokgwane.