Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Mduduzi Shabalala has taken a significant step off the pitch by founding a charity organisation and launching its inaugural three-day tournament at the renowned Dlamini Sports Complex in Soweto.
The Mduduzi Shabalala Foundation tournament, which features football and netball, will take place from May 9 to 11. At the launch event on Tuesday, kits were presented to the schools participating in the foundation’s tournament, and a draw was also conducted.
Shabalala, playing in the PSL, spoke to FARPost about the initiative, the foundation’s goals, and what he hopes to accomplish with the tournament.
FARPost: What inspired you to launch your foundation so early in your career?
Mduduzi Shabalala: I was inspired by the likes of Linda Mntambo, Siphiwe Tshabalala, and Fortune Makaringe and the tournaments we played while growing up. You take those ideas, and naturally, one day I dreamt of having a foundation to give back to the community through various initiatives, such as football and netball.
MDU SHABALALA Q&A: GOALS & VISION FOR HIS TOURNAMENT
MS: It shows that they want to see such things happening because the first time I met with them, they were really excited about the initiative, and they came on board. They wanted us to work together, and I think our first annual tournament will be top. We’re looking forward to many more.
FP: Do you remember the school tournaments you played as a kid? How important were they in shaping the footballer you have become?
MS: We used to have the Mr. Price Sports Tournament that normally takes place here. We typically play as a cluster, and then the winners go on to play a game where we face other schools. It was nice to see the kids and schools come together, supporting each other, singing, and fostering a spirit of camaraderie. The day is all about getting to know one another and improving our football skills.
At that time, there was nothing at stake; it was simply about signing your name to claim that your school is the best and that you want to play football. On Monday morning, the assembly announces the standout players and the team that won at that level. That announcement means a lot to us as school kids, as we strive to be remembered for our accomplishments. Not everyone will become doctors or policemen; some will play football, some will pursue netball, and others will follow different career paths. Therefore, it is beneficial to have such tournaments to create opportunities for the youth to express themselves. Ekasi resources are limited, and many cannot get to Naturena, Randburg or Pretoria to participate in trials. This tournament serves as a platform to showcase their talent and pursue their career aspirations. There will be sponsors and scouts on the day, so it’s up to them to showcase their talents.
SHABALALA’S KEY ADVICE FOR TOURNAMENT PLAYERS
FP: What kind of advice do you give to the kids that will play in the tournament?
MS: They must be serious. They will never know who’s watching. And some of us started like that, not knowing who was watching and ended up pursuing football careers. If you want to write a story from where you come from … you must stay focused and be at your best. They must never let the occasion take away their enjoyment. You must enjoy and play with joy.
FP: Why did you choose this particular venue for your inaugural tournament?
MS: This is where I grew up, and this is where we also had the opportunity to play. I thought, why should I neglect this community? These are the people who know me and watched me grow up. This is where it all started: ePhiri, eSenaoane. We’d go there during Easter and participate in the Siphiwe Tshabalala Tournament. We would get home very late, and our parents would beat us. But we didn’t care because we loved what we were doing. Bringing it back here is a way to revive those memories and say thank you to them for being part of my journey.
FP: Your Kaizer Chiefs teammates, Mfundo Vilakazi and Bruce Bvuma, along with the club’s TV crew, are here. It should be pleasing to see the support!
MS: It says a lot, and it means they love seeing what I’m doing. They’re the people that are behind this thing. They are always pushing me each and everyday. They’re sharing their ideas. They want to see me succeed. We may not have everything that we want, but giving back is important. Seeing other people growing in what we love – which is sport – is a fulfilling thing. We’re role models ekasi and we’re here to inspire. We mustn’t inspire them with cars only or the things we wear, but we must create platforms for them to also showcase their talents and breakthrough in sport.
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