Coaches I’ve worked with: Mr Langa gave me a big hiding!

Guys, I think I need to explain something here. This section is where I am talking about coaches I have worked with, but some of these coaches I never got to work with, although I was lucky enough to cross paths with and learn from them. Some of these guys are life coaches, who played a significant role in my life and career off the field. So, I don’t want you to think of coaches as just those I was on television with because there’s more to coaching than just issuing instructions to players. One such person is the Black Leopards Chairman, David Thidiela. I’m sure a lot of people have no idea how far back I come with Mr David Thidiela. The mere mention of this man’s name gives me goosebumps because he’s one of those I regard as a father-figure to me. Bra Dave knows me as much as Dr. Kaizer Motaung because I literally grew right in front of him. I was still a toddler when this man came into my life, very young, and he was the Kaizer Chiefs chief security at the time. I used to go to the stadium by train, taxi or bus to meet with my dad and the whole team at Orlando Stadium. As young as I was, I would be received by Bra Dave at the stadium and, unlike today, teams were not driving in one bus to the stadium. They used my dad’s and Zacharia Lamola’s kombis to travel to games. You see those two cars pulling into the stadium and we all flocked to them because we wanted to see our superheroes. The Chiefs security guys would carry sticks and use all the possible security measures to block us from getting too close to the players. One of the security guys, Mr Richard Langa, gave me a big hiding, not knowing I was my dad’s son! I went there, knowing very well that there was an arrangement between my dad and ntate Thidiela, but Bra Richard didn’t know about it, let alone know I was “Pro” Khumalo’s son. He thought I was one of the kids who were just trying to force their way, but Bra Dave, upon realising what had happened, was so upset with him. “Do you know whose son is this? Why not ask what’s going on if you don’t know?” Eish, it was hectic, and Bra Richards retorted, “But the instruction was not to let anyone get close to the players.” Eish, that man really beat me and Bra Dave was not impressed at all and he told Bra Richard who I was and the arrangement that was between him and my father. From that day, Bra Dave and I became even closer and he would visit my home and tell me where to find him if I was going to the stadium. Look, I know this man as a family friend through my dad, and someone who took care of me whenever I went to the stadium. He was very close with my dad. I was shocked to learn that this man was starting his own club, Black Leopards, and my heart was so sad because I always associated him with Chiefs – then, boom! He was no longer there and started his own club. A part of me was obviously happy for him, but it took me a while to get used to him being away from the team. What an achievement because from security to club owner is not child’s play. The difference his team made in people’s lives in Limpopo is immense. Whenever we went to play Leopards away, he would remind everyone, “This is my son. This is my boy!” Some people would be surprised because they didn’t know our history and he would explain everything to them. He would then tell me, “Hey son, you know where we come from, so please take it easy against my team”, and then we would laugh about it. Thank you for everything you’ve done for me, Bra Dave – I really appreciate it. You’ve been a part of my life since we met when I was still a toddler, to this day, and I am equally proud of your achievements. Because he made sure I was seated in a comfortable position in the stadium, Bra Dave unwittingly planted a seed for me to want to be like those players and do what they were doing, one day. Look at what happened since then! I hope I have made you proud, Bra Dave! May God give you more life and make sure that Leopards is back in the elite league. Thank you for everything you’ve done for me.