What’s in a name? At times everything

Malesela, the one that desists, was true to his name this week, stunning the bench by quitting mid-trial in soccer superstar Senzo Meyiwa’s case, citing intimidation, including by the judge hearing the matter and No1 from the highest office in the land at the Union Buildings in Tshwane.

Advocate Malesela Teffo has been called many things since he took over the high-profile case of the slain Bucs and Bafana goalie, but desist was not one of them.

But Malesela lived up to his name this week, reminding me of another superstar Happy Jele, who was arrested driving at 223km/h in a 120km/h zone a few years ago. He was a having a tough time on the field and was the butt of many jokes when he was nabbed for speeding, thereby making his name – Jele – apt for those few hours he was under arrest.

Speaking of apt, we have aptonyms or aptronyms, which is what they call a name that is peculiar to its owner. Famous aptonyms include Usain Bolt for being lighting fast, as well as Tiger Woods for his long drives, and being such a tiger on the course.

There are some not so well-known aptonymns locally. He may be using his stage name but that does not mean his real name is not apt. Mr Fill Up himself, aka Cassper Nyovest’s real is Refiloe Maele Phoolo. And, indeed, he has been given ideas. He gave us the hit Doc Shebeleza, a tribute to the kwaito hitmaker whose real name is Victor Bogopane.

And then other rappers followed with tributes to their favourite stars. Rapper and music producer JR gave us Bob Mabena. Emtee hit us with Pearl Thusi, a tribute to the model and actor. On the same album that has Doc Shebeleza, Maele also paid tribute to another classic on Mzansi’s crime-ridden streets – the iconic Gusheshe, better known as the BMW 325.

Two years later DJ Citi Lyts paid homage to another notorious car with his hit Vura, which is a love letter to the VW VR6. The Golf GTI, better known as the Vrr Phaa in Mzansi, also has a soundtrack from DJ Focalistic. And then it was the Fill-up concerts and now the boxing matches which Maele uses to settle industry beef. He really is a pro at marketing.

Still on boxing, do you know professional boxer Mandla Simanga? Pretty cool name for a fighter, don’t you think? His name is going to hit hard once the 24-year-old starts winning those big titles.

And how do you fancy the name Penny Ndlela, for the owner of tours business Soul Traveller? Ndlela grew up in an entrepreneurial family and was used to counting pennies in his father’s businesses from an early age. She is also an avid traveller and that’s why she started the business.