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With Makhehleni Makhaula (AmaZulu)
After not going through any development structures to working for BOSASA at Lindela Repatriation Centre as a general worker after leaving school, AmaZulu midfielder Makhehleni Makhaula has been able to build a football career that has elevated him.
1 Makhehleni Makhaula was born at Leratong Hospital as the first of two kids, but grew up in Mohlakeng, Randfontein where he did all his schooling. He is now father to one having already paid part of lobola.
2 Makhaula’s mother died when he was in Garde 4 and while his father is still alive, he has never had a relationship with him. Following the death of his mother he was raised by his maternal grandmother, who also unfortunately passed away when he was in Grade 9. “It was then that I was brought up by my uncles and aunts who looked out for me all the way into my adult life.”
3 Though born in Gauteng, his maternal family was originally from KwaBhaca, formerly Mount Frere, in the Eastern Cape. “I have never been there but wish to at least set foot there one day because as a black kid you have to identify with your roots,” he says.
4 For all the troubles and struggles, bordering on poverty, that Makhaula had to deal with growing up, he was still able to complete his Matric with good grades, but a lack of finances restricted him from pursuing tertiary studies.
5 Just six months after leaving school, the AmaZulu midfielder had no choice but to seek employment in order to put food on the table and found a job at the Lindela Repatriation Centre in Krugersdorp – a detention facility for undocumented migrants awaiting deportation. “I was in the control room and would be monitoring the cells and making sure that all the people ate and those that had to be taken to hospital were transported,” he says.
6 Makhaula held the job from 2009 up to 2014 when he was ultimately signed by Free State Stars. “My basic salary was R1,900, and it would go up to around R2,500 depending on the hours I worked. I cannot begin to look down on that kind of money now because for five years I survived on it and have been a breadwinner here at home since then. At that time, I was playing for Trabzon in the ABC Motsepe League so I would train in the afternoons after work.”
7 He never gave up on his dream to play professional football through all the years, remaining a regular at Trabzon where he was coached by former QwaQwa Stars and Kaizer Chiefs player Sipho Khuse – brother to the legendary Ace Khuse. At Trabzon he rubbed shoulders with Edward Manqele and Ben Motshwari.
8 Makhaula once attended open trials at then First Division club Roses United in Bloemfontein but was not signed. “There were just way too many of us at those trials. I never wish for anyone to go for open trials because it is frustrating,” he notes.
9 He laughs remembering the days when he was always knocking at his friends’ houses to borrow boots since he never had his own pair until he signed for Free State Stars in 2014. “We were so poor I couldn’t even afford boots and I borrowed boots so many times I lost count. It is for that reason that I am forever giving away my boots here in Mohlakeng because I know the pain of not having your own pair,” he chuckles.
10 Though he is yet to own a property and still resides in the family house when back in Gauteng, he has already started planning for football retirement by investing in rental accommodation. “There is a property related project that I have invested in here in the West Rand in line with providing accommodation for workers in the mines. I am out to grow that portfolio,” he explains.