Rise and Shine From the dusty streets of Chiawelo, Soweto, Jabu Maluleke continues to make an impact for Polokwane
The Sowetan ended up in the north and has thrived there
● Jabu Maluleke has had a colourful football career, one marked by his unique contributions to all three professional clubs he has played for over the past 13 years.
The 36-year-old Polokwane City captain is at peace with what he has achieved in his career even though two things he longed for — to play for one of the Soweto giants and Bafana Bafana — never materialised.
Born and bred in Chiawelo, Soweto, it is still an enigma why a talented nimble-footed playmaker like Maluleke never ended on the books of Orlando Pirates, a club he played for as a junior after being spotted in one of many amateur tournaments in the township.
“I went to Pirates’ development but things never worked for me there. They had spotted me at Godfrey Moloi tournament when I was 18,” said Maluleke of the time he was close to signing for the Buccaneers.
“It’s quite strange . . . that’s what I wanted to have as a kid growing up from Chiawelo to
I feel we can challenge for a top eight finish at least Jabu Maluleke
Polokwane City captain
play for one of the teams from Soweto. But it never happened; but I cannot dwell on it.
“What’s important is that I have achieved most of what I wanted for my career. I won the league with Super Sport United (2009/10) and the Nedbank Cup (2012). I’m happy with that,” said Maluleke.
On missing out in playing for Bafana despite coming close after being called in 2008, Maluleke says he’s accepted it was never meant to be and is now focussed on wrapping up his career on a high at Polokwane in a season or two.
“Certain things like playing for Bafana — it’s something you can’t control. What I can somehow manage is my football career at Polokwane, a club that has always looked after my interests,” said the midfielder who has invested in property to secure his life after football.
At 36, Maluleke spends time thinking about what he will be doing after hanging up his boots. Having looked after his body, retirement has not crossed his mind yet after playing 282 league games, scoring 30 goals and providing 49 assists.
“For now I’m happy and much fitter. So far I’m enjoying my football and I’m taking it season by season as far as how long I can go. When you’re getting older — as I am — it’s when you need to value your body more and I’m trying to do that.”
Maluleke fully understands that his career won’t last forever and says it’s been troubling him to see some of his colleagues, current and past, not having planned for life after football.
“It’s not nice to see your former colleagues on the streets when you know they were better than you . . . it’s heartbreaking. It pains me because we looked up to those guys. I just wish that the guys who are still playing can take this issue seriously.”
One unique aspect that has marked Maluleke’s career is his passing and the special way he bends in the free-kicks.
“There are no surprises there for me because it all started in the dusty streets of Chiawelo. I realised that I don’t have a powerful long range shot, so I started dedicating time to practising taking free-kicks.
“The many assists are also as a result of the fact that I don’t pack a powerful shot, so it’s better for me to create goals for my teammates.”
Maluleke has this season provided two assists and two goals as Polokwane nestled among the early pacesetters in the race for the Absa Premiership title.
Maluleke, for the first time in his career, won the player of the month for October alongside his Slovakian coach Josef Vukusic.
“It’s an honour and a privilege to have had that award. It shows that people are appreciating what I’m doing. It motivates me and my teammates to keep pushing,” said Maluleke.
“We’ve had a great start to the season even though we had to recover after losing our first two games to Black Leopards and Mamelodi Sundowns. I feel we can challenge for a top eight finish at least.”