BURY THE HATCHET

I was taught to forgive those who wronged me and also to ask for forgiveness whenever I’ve wronged someone. Even the Holy Bible teaches us to forgive. However, I fail to understand how the impasse between our lovely paper, Soccer Laduma, and the mighty Kaizer Chiefs, has remained unresolved. It has gone on for so long and I think now is the time for us, the supporters, to ask these two institutions to find common ground and let bygones be bygones. Chiefs’ slogan is Love and Peace. Practise what you preach. Soccer Laduma is the paper for everyone, but I don’t think it is justifiable not to have Chiefs players doing interviews and engaging with the supporters through our wonderful publication. It is still not late to forgive each other. Mr Motaung, Sir, can’t you find it in your heart to forgive? My lovely newspaper, I humble myself before you and ask you to forgive and forget and, by doing so, you’ll be doing justice to the Chiefs players, supporters and staff. Every player dreams of doing interviews with Soccer Laduma, Chiefs players being no exception. The club’s supporters would love to also read interviews done by their own players instead of reading what other teams’ players say. Whatever happened is supposed to be water under the bridge. Every player that joins Chiefs would love to pour his heart out to the supporters through Soccer Laduma. We as supporters also like to know what’s happening behind closed doors at Naturena and who else to give us that except Soccer Laduma! This is my humble plea to you, Editor, Mr Joni. There’s always light at the end of the tunnel. Sibusiso Khumalo, Melmoth, KZN

MODERN FOOTBALL NO GREAT SHAKES

I shed a tear after reading Shakes Mashaba’s interview in Soccer Laduma edition 1345. Memories of the ’70s and ’80s games came flooding back. When he mentioned the great Moroka Swallows of players like Ace Mnini, Andries Maseko, Vader Mophosho, Shakes himself and others, I was taken back to the days of the excellent football that was displayed by those hugely talented players. One of the outstanding matches that dazzled the soccer masses in 1980 was the Mainstay Cup semi-final, where Swallows beat Kaizer Chiefs in a replay after a 5-5 draw, as well as the final between Swallows and Orlando Pirates. On a deeper note, Shakes mentioned what I’ve been wanting to suggest for a long time. He encouraged the current club owners to call the legends to address the current crop of players. These legends will explain and motivate these players on what it means to wear the jerseys of their legendary teams. Teams like Swallows are old institutions that should never be forgotten by generations to come. Club bosses should not be afraid to invest in such initiatives of having legends that will be involved in guiding the club. We’ve done that before by listening to the elders when relating their respective family trees, history and its wonders. I commend Soccer Laduma for the interview with Bra Shakes and the advice and information imparted by the great man himself. We’ll be taking our power back from those who’ve been spoiling or chasing only money when it comes to our teams. Furthermore, these clubs should be encouraged to retain their original colours rather than what’s being dictated by sponsors nowadays. Our teams have lost their identity because of that and the opposition are no longer afraid of them as they’re playing in less intimidating colours. I was privileged to watch him live in both Swallows and Pirates colours at Orlando Stadium for many years until he retired. Once more, thank you for the interview and my blood is Maroon and White. Don’t follow me, follow the Birds!