Lost to the game at just 27
RONALD MOHLAKA HAS FOUND ANOTHER CALLING – PROMOTING A YOUNG SINGER
It is not every day that you find a player deciding to stop playing the beautiful game at the age of just 27.
Actually, it seems very bizarre, but this is what actually happened in the story of Ronald Mohlaka, who decided to focus on the future by retiring from football so that he could concentrate on business, leaving behind a career as a leftback with a lot of potential, having played for all the national teams except Bafana Bafana.
Born in the Limpopo province, Mohlaka’s football journey began during the 2004 Danone Nations Cup, – he went on to represent South Africa in France that year.
Upon coming back from the tournament, he was recruited to join the African Stars Academy formed by Mamelodi Sundowns legend Harold Legodi, playing alongside Lehlogonolo Masalela, Roger Majafa, Miguel Timm, Menzi Masuku and Joseph Molangoane, as the first players at the academy, which soon became a household name, producing a number of players who went on to play for top sides in the country.
He signed his first professional contract in 2011, signing on the dotted line for the now dissolved Mpumalanga Black Aces, before stints with SuperSport United, Roses United and Black Leopards.
He last played professional football for Lidoda Duvha before encountering problems and struggling to find a club, which led to him thinking about the future. He decided to go into business with friends.
“When things don’t go your way, especially in football, you have to have an alternative, because football is a very short career and you never know what the future holds for you,” Mohlaka tells.
“I enjoyed my football and consider myself very lucky to have been able to play for all the national teams except the senior national team. It was really great and is one of the things I will forever cherish, because not many players get to achieve what I have achieved.
“I have to really say thanks to coach Harold because he helped me very much in my football career. He took me from the rural villages of Limpopo to help me live my dreams of playing professional football.
“I grew up and played alongside some of the best players in the country and I will forever be thankful for that, but unfortunately, football doesn’t always go the way you want it.
“There are lots of things happening and many players struggle to find teams, which leaves them stranded and having nothing to fall back on.
“My last team was Leopards in 2017, but I didn’t last long there because of some issues. When I left I struggled to find a team. I was not the only one – my friends Jonty Mampa, as well as Ayanda Mtshali, were also struggling to find teams.
“We decided to sit down and come up with ways that would help us to be financially stable. We then create our own company called Unified, which is an entertainment company, along with two other friends Siphiwe Msezane and Siphesihle Mbatha.”
At his age, Mohlaka still has the legs to try and get a club. Nonetheless, he says he won’t force it if it doesn’t happen, with the focus now fully on building the business. The 27-year describes himself as a big dreamer. He says he doesn’t have any regrets regarding his football career. And he, along with his partners, are pushing an artist called ZeeGee, real name Qinisani Gumede, who already has a couple of singles, to be one of the top artists in the country.
“I don’t want to lie, I think I had one of the best football careers. It might have not gone the way I thought it would, but I enjoyed every moment of it. For now, yes, age is still on my side to continue playing. If it happens, I will get back to the pitch and continue with the business. But again, if it doesn’t happen, then it’s okay. We have an artist called ZeeGee, we are trying to push him and his music, that is my focus at the moment because I want to build a future for myself and my family.”
Mohlaka believes his failure to find a team to continue with his football career should be a lesson to many players in the country. Instead of giving up on life when things don’t go your way in football, he believes one must try other things to have a stable life.