Those fortunate to have watched General Bantu Holomisa's 60th birthday celebrations on then lifestyle television programme Top Billing, aired in August 2015, would agree that the well-known politician is admired by the who's who of this country and beyond. Thabo Mbeki, Kaizer Motaung, Khulu Sibiya and Kalusha Bwalya were some of the dignitaries to have graced the glittering occasion in Johannesburg. But besides being the President of the United Democratic Movement, he is a sports enthusiast of note, a bug that caught him more than five decades ago. His loyalty to Kaizer Chiefs, a team he fell in love with the first time he laid his eyes on them, knows no bounds. Such that whenever the opportunity presents itself, the outspoken and sometimes controversial politician can be seen at the stadium cheering the Glamour Boys on. Did we mention that he's on first name terms with club supremo, the one and only Kaizer Motaung? Hectic schedule and all, Soccer Laduma's Masebe Qina managed to pin down Mgebe, as per Holomisa'sclan name, as he shares how he first met "Chincha Guluva", talks about why he believes the club is going in the right direction management-wise, and some of the issues that give him sleepless nights regarding the performances on the pitch. It'svintage Bantu Holomisa unplugged, enjoy!
Masebe Qina: Greetings, Baw' uMgebe, and thank you for availing yourself to talk to Soccer Laduma readers. As we understand it, you were known for being a rugby player in your youth days. How did your love of football begin?
Bantu Holomisa: I played soccer while growing up and when I went to high school, I played both soccer and rugby, as well as tennis. At the college, we had sports facilities and sports back then were my favourite. I went to Jongilizwe College in 1971. This was around the same time when Kaizer Chiefs was established (in 1970), and I immediately fell in love with the club. In 1984, I was appointed as the manager of Tembu Royals (popular semi-pro club from Mthatha in those days). Tembu Royals was one of the big clubs in the former Transkei and in the country back then because we used to play friendly matches against the likes of (Orlando) Pirates, Chiefs and so on. I was the (team) manager from 1984 up to 1987 and I had to quit when I became the head of government (of Transkei) in 1987. So, I started playing football at lower primary up to high school, and after finishing high school and already working, I played rugby, firstly for Oriental Rugby Football Club. Later, the Defence established a rugby team and I played there for the Transkei Defence Force.
MQ: How did you become an Amakhosi supporter?
BH: To be honest with you, I had never been a follower of any club prior, so Chiefs is the only club that I have ever followed. I was impressed with the way they played football and the way the club was managed. I mean, Kaizer Chiefs came with a big bang when the club was established. The team was in your face, and to think that from those days the marketing was not like today É because these days if you have a budget, you are in É the club was doing well. In those days, there were no cellphones and this and that, and you would depend on reading about the club. On Sundays, when you went out to buy a newspaper, or listened to the radio, it was all about Chiefs. But the Xhosa radio station then, which is now called UmhloboWenene, didn't broadcast football. I remember at the college, if we wanted to follow Chiefs on radio, we had to go and climb a mountain to catch the commentary via the radio station that is now called Lesedi FM. On a lucky day, you would be able to catch the match via Ukhozi FM. Those were the days!
MQ: Who were some of the players you enjoyed watching?
BH: Wow! You talk of Pele Blaschke from Namibia, "Banks" Setlhodi who was a goalkeeper, you had "Umgababa" (Gerald Dlamini), there was (Petrus) "Ten-Ten" Nzimande, (Johannes) "Ryder" Mofokeng, and there was Kaizer (Motaung) himself during those days, although he didn't play for that long because he had to become an administrator.
MQ: A visionary of note, and look at how huge the club is now.
BH: There were a lot of players. Then there was the generation of the likes of (Abednigo) "Shaka" Ngcobo, and then there were the likes of (Leonard) "Wagga Wagga" Likoebe. Teenage Dladla was recruited Ð unfortunately the person who scouted him and one of the directors of Chiefs at the time, Ewert Nene, was assassinated. All I am saying is that it was easy to follow Chiefs and that's why I followed them when I was still in the college. I graduated in 1975 after I finished my matric.
MQ: We're listening...
BH: My mom was a nurse in Johannesburg and I used to visit her in Dobsonville, where she was staying. Whenever I was there, I would make sure that I bought my match ticket during the week already to make sure that on the weekend I was able to watch Chiefs. Fast-forward to 1980, I think, I went to Eloff Street. I think Chiefs had offices there and Cecil Motaung (Chiefs' supporters relations manager) was there, and he is still there even now and being the main man, but he is a very quiet fellow. I told him that I would like to meet the Chairman and he had no problem walking me down the passage to introduce me to Kaizer.
MQ: We've always wondered how it all started.
BH: Ha, ha, ha, it started then, and that's why Kaizer once told people in one of the gatherings É I think it was my 60th birthday É he said, "Why are we being followed by this soldier? Who is this soldier)?" Ha, ha, ha. We had already been friends by then, and I remember back in those days, since I had been introduced to him by Cecil, we would sometimes gather before a match and then travel together to the stadium. For example, if a match was starting at 15h00, a day before we would meet as friends of Kaizer in what was termed the A-team. But it didn't start there because even when I was the manager of Tembu Royals, I used to interact with Kaizer and (the late) Zola Mahobe, who was with (Mamelodi) Sundowns at the time, among others. (As Tembu), we used to exchange players with Zola Mahobe if at Sundowns they had players that they were not using, and from us if there were players that they were willing to test, we would allow for them to go. We did the same with Chiefs. There was that kind of a relationship.
MQ: Sounds a very good working relationship.
BH: Chiefs, at the time, were being sponsored by Kappa and Motaung introduced me to Emy Casaletti (who was part of Chiefs' marketing team) and his brothers and sisters who were managing the Kappa brand. Tembu Royals also had Kappa as sponsors. We ended up having big clubs like Chiefs coming to the Independence Stadium (in Mthatha) to play friendly matches with Tembu. That was the period where they identified JulukaSkosana and he was recruited to play for Chiefs. Mthobeli Zokwe, although that was before I became the manager of Tembu, ended up going to Chiefs, as well as a player called Remember.
MQ: What do you think of the club's changes in management?
BH: I think he (Motaung) is doing the right thing. With age catching up, I think it's good that he is giving the management roles to his children while it is still early. I remember Bobby (Motaung) used to own a restaurant in downtown Jo'burg and I remember Kaizer suggesting that Bobby should also get involved in the running of the club. On the other hand, Irvin Khoza was grooming his daughter Zodwa, who has since passed on. They were doing well in terms of running the clubs and focused on all things to do with the administration, but of course, Bobby was more into football-related matters and Zodwa was an administrator and involved more with marketing-related stuff, I think. But the methodology that both clubs were using was more or less the same. (From what I understand), they were both being groomed under the Casaletti sisters and one of them is Emy, who is married to Kalusha Bwalya. I guess that is why Vodacom was attracted to sponsor both clubs because the marketing strategy was more or less the same.
MQ: And Kaizer Motaung Junior?
BH: Kaizer Motaung Junior was still playing soccer at that time. He has since been introduced to management and I think he is grasping the fundamentals quickly because he was a player. I see Junior filling the gap of his father in terms of knowledge and knowhow of football. But he has towork with Bobby (and everyone in the management). The other thing that people need to also look at is that, when you are running a club as a manager, you need to always go to your seniors Ð the people who own the club Ð for budget. You have to be able to convince them. I look at the quality players that we bought recently and I'm satisfied. When they take to the pitch, you can see that for the first time (in a while), Chiefs have bought quality players. The only area that I am worried about is goalkeepingÉ and maybe also in the midfield. If we can focus on those areas Ð one goalkeeper and a midfielder, a steady guy but a distributer of the ball and not just someone who runs all over the show. You need someone who is a hard tackler in midfield. We have not filled the space of (Tinashe) Nengomasha. Even (Willard) Katsande, we have not replaced him. You need a player of the quality of those two fellows because the ones we have now are short and can run all over the show and are shy to mark sometimes.
MQ: "The General", we can actually feel the passion that you have for the Glamour Boys! Go on.
BH: Regarding the transition, Kaizer is a very meticulous person and he doesn't rush to make decisions. Even with coaches, you may sometimes feel that, "Eish, but this coach", but Kaizer wouldn't want to interfere in that department. It's because he used to be a player himself and he understands football. During games, sometimes we would be sitting next to each other at the stadium, with Bobby and Junior with us, and people would be talking about the performance of players. "Eish, there is a gap that side", but Kaizer wouldn't shout at the managers and things like that. He would just keep quiet. He knows when to speak. So, I think he has groomed those boys wellÉ and his daughters. The pressure now is on the players. They have been brought to play for Chiefs, and if for some reason some of them are unable to make the right decisions at the right time, it reflects badly on them as players. I can't see why when you are given a through pass, instead of shooting and trying to score, you want to turn back. That's not coaching. You have been recruited and are being paid to score goals, why do you want to go backwards? The coach needs to correct only a few things here and there, but not to tell you that you have to shoot when you are clear on goal.
MQ: You're right. Players get away with a lot, not just at Kaizer Chiefs but in South African football generally, and unfortunately coaches have to bear the brunt of those wrong decisions on the field.
BH: Compared to the past two seasons, there is an improvement in terms of height for when we get corner kicks. Last season, it was only (Erick) Mathoho and one or two others who would be up there to compete. I want to emphasise about the importance of players making the right decisions, otherwise you would end up changing coaches time and again.
MQ: Are you confident that the current squad can win trophies?
BH: Ja, it's been slippery throughout. I think we've got enough players, just they need to pull up their socks as well. We've got quality players, but if they play as individuals, then we will not win. They must play as a team, they must know when to pass and how to pass and to who and where. The space. I'm a fan of good midfielders and I still remember players like Doctor Khumalo who knew how to pass the ball. That has always been the strength of Chiefs for many years Ð the likes of (Jan) "Malombo" Lechaba, Shakes Kungwane and many others. Just fix that department at Chiefs, because if you look at that department, sometimes we will end a match with a high percentage on ball possession. Just one person, and in a crucial moment, will go and score against us. Our bench is full of football experts. I am pleased that Mangethe (Arthur Zwane) is still there, and the rest of the technical team is good. This current coach (Molefi Ntseki) iyalazi ibhola nayo (knows his football as well), and I see him now and again consulting with his bench during matches, and therefore it's a working team. Again, I am just worried about the goalkeeping department.
MQ: Njengele, thanks once again for your time. Let's hope Chiefs rediscover their glory days quite soon.
BH: Sharp.
I wish they can do the same…
Masilo Machaka – Kaizer Chiefs supporter
"I know the General very well and he is one of us and someone very close. One thing that you and I know is that sport has the ability to make a difference in our communities. For me, sport should rate above everything else in life. Sport can unify people and we are here because of sport. So, whether you are an artist, musician, actor or politician, when it comes to sport, you'll be able to get together all in the name of whatever sporting code that you follow as we can see how it is right now in the country in support of AmaBhokobhoko during this World Cup. Everybody is united in support of AmaBhokobhoko, and whether you are a DJ, journalist or whatever, as long as there is sport involved, people are able to gather all in the name of the game. It is good that our leaders like Bantu Holomisa are always at the stadiums whenever they can to support their favourite teams such as Kaizer Chiefs. It is people like them who understand the importance of being at the stadium to support their favourite teams because doing so makes a huge difference to the players.
Having said this, I am still crying that in South Africa we aren't into sports in the way that I think we should. I just wish more and more people out there can realise the role that sports can play in influencing other people's lives. I applaud leaders like Bantu Holomisa and others who go out of their way to support their favourite clubs because by doing so, they lead the way, and the onus is on everyone else to follow suit. I do get surprised when I come across people and ask if they have a South African flag at home and they tell me, 'No.' I ask myself as to what the reason could be because in my opinion, everyone should have it for when they need to support the country's national teams, whether it is football, rugby, cricket or any other. A football match only takes about 90 minutes and I see no reason why people shouldn't go to the stadium to watch a match. It is encouraging to see our leaders, like Mr. Holomisa, showing passion for the sport and their favourite clubs, and we appreciate when we see them with us at the stadium whenever they can, and we wish they could continue like that to encourage fans on the ground to also come out. Like they always ask us to go and vote when it is time for elections, I wish they can do the same to encourage the supporters to go to the stadiums.
I'm a little superior to him
Saddam Maake – Kaizer Chiefs supporter
"General Holomisa is a comrade, and he was one of us during his days as an ANC member before he went on to open his own political party. What I like the most about him is that he loves Kaizer Chiefs wholeheartedly and is a big friend of the chairman, Kaizer Motaung. The way I see him, he is part of the Chiefs family. I go and greet him when I see him, even if he is heading for the VIP suites at the stadium, and he never has a problem with that. I respect that he is one of us and was honoured for being part of the family. General Holomisa is a Khosi 4 Life. But please tell him that he is a 'legend' and I am 'legendary', and that's the difference between the two of us, which makes me a little superior to him. Do you know that I was the first one to be honoured for being Chiefs' supporter before him? People came from Durban to honour me Ð Ntjebe (Wilfred Tshabalala) and (William) Mukwevho É and (Masilo) Machaka was still young back then.
Tell the General that he's got eight more years before he acquires the 'legendary status' like me and that's 365 days multiplied by eight. Maybe if he can co-operate and assist Kaizer Junior and them in management by facilitating deals for some good players to join Chiefs, the term can be reduced to only four years just like a school kid who has been condoned from one grade to the other. I appeal to him to please continue with his support for the club and I remember meeting him and Bra Kaizer (Motaung) this other time and from there, I could tell that they were best friends. People might be laughing at us for now for the results on the field, but we are happy that Kaizer Junior, Bobby (Motaung) and the entire management have brought us good players and the signs are there for the team to improve, and the General must know that we will be back where we belong. I wish for his party to grow from strength to strength just like his love for Chiefs, and we appreciate him. Viva, Legend, viva!"
That's when the real problem started
Lifa Gqosha – Former Kaizer Chiefs defender
"I do share the sentiments of Njengele on what he thinks about Chiefs' players. I have always maintained that Chiefs never used to look at the performances of the players when dealing with situations like these, but they looked at the performance of the coach, but in my opinion, it should be the other way around and players should be the first people to be analysed because they are the ones who make the team to look bad, not the coach. Imagine owning a bus and whenever it breaks down, you point at the driver and fire him instead of first checking if the engine or the other parts of the vehicle are genuine or fake. That has been the problem for Chiefs. Even when Gavin Hunt was fired, I thought that was a wrong decision, and that is when the real problem started, in my opinion. I thought Hunt wasn't supposed to be changed and, in my opinion, he is one coach that was never supported fully at Chiefs. Gavin was there when Chiefs was banned from signing players. He used what he had and still finished in a satisfactory position on the log under the circumstances. That's why I believe that players are given more leverage than coaches."
