Secrets of the Stars
Ten things you didn’t know about Musa Bilankulu
“ACCORDING TO MUSA, HIS OLDER BROTHER WAS A BETTER FOOTBALLER THAN HIM”
1 Musa Junior Bilankulu was born in Malamulele, Limpopo but relocated to Vosloorus when he was in kindergarten after his father – who worked in Gauteng – bought a house in the Ekurhuleni 2 township. Bilankulu would go on to do all of his schooling in “Vosloo” and matriculated at Thuto Lesedi Secondary School. He states that he didn’t proceed to tertiary due to financial reasons but had done well enough to be accepted at university. Fortunately football has provided the only income that 3 he has ever had all his life. The 32 year-old is the third born in a family of five kids – three girls and two boys. His older sister, Constance, is now late while his brother Michael works for the SAPS as a detective based in Germiston. The first of his younger sisters works as a manager at Foschini while the last born is employed at Hertz car 4 rentals. According to Musa, his older brother was a better footballer than him but didn’t have the patience to wait for his chance in football. However, Michael still follows the game and always has crucial advice for his younger brother. Retired footballer Jabulani Mendu – who also hails from Vosloorus – remains Bilankulu’s mentor just like his development coach Pride Morosi.5 Having grown up in Vosloorus Extension 2, Bilankulu always had his former Lamontville Golden Arrows teammate Kagiso Senamela as an opponent from primary school through to both high school and junior football. Senamela, who now plays in the lower divisions, also hails from the same town6 ship. Bilankulu is not married but has a four-year-old daughter Rirhandzu. He, 7 however, is in a relationship. The former Bidvest Wits man states that he sees no purpose in having an agent as most are out to exploit players. “Why should someone speak on my behalf when I already know what I want,” he 8 says. Bilankulu also reveals that he sold both his Durban properties after moving to Wits from Arrows four years ago due to the myriad problems that he encountered with tenants.9 He is very close friends with Kagisho Dikgacoi, whom he has known since 2005 as both arrived at Arrows the same time. He was the best man at the former Bafana Bafana midfielder’s wedding last year. They are starting a business venture together, which will be in Durban, allowing them to be hands on. His namesake Musa Nyatama – now at Orlando Pirates – is also a close friend just like Malawian defender Limbikani10 Mzava. Bilankulu has accounts on social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and Twitter but is less active on the latter.