Vilakazi On Being A Son, Dad & Growing Up In Soweto

Sekhukhune United forward Sibusiso Vilakazi spoke glowingly about his parents and his upbringing in Soweto. 

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What's the story? 

Sibusiso Vilakazi opened up about the influence his parents have in his life and his upbringing which he described as "beautiful". 

"Valdez" also spoke candidly about being a father, and why his upbringing set the tone for his approach to parenting.

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Let's take a closer look...

Valdez on his family

In an inteview with Nounouche Online Magazine, Sibusiso Vilakazi heaped praise on his parents for the values they've instilled in him since he was a child.

Regarded as self-proclaimed "Mama's boy" in the feature, Vila revealed one of the biggest gestures he's done for his parents as a thank you for his childhood and the role his mom plays in his life currently:

"My mom is probably the one who does the calling now to check on me and [His five-year-old daughter], Okuhle. My childhood was absolutely beautiful and I can now proudly say I have been blessed enough to buy my parents a house in Orlando as soon as I was in a position to thank them by doing something big for them," says the former Sundowns man about his mother. 

"I won that big award [PSL Footballer of the Year] and as soon as I got that money [R250 000] I went to the bank and if you are with the title sponsor at the time then Absa doubled the amount.

"My parents, especially my mom, were always there step by step – everything I needed they tried their best to make sure I was able to get it. They truly loved me, still love me. I was raised with love," adds Vila.

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Vilkazi's mom, Fikile worked as a magazine merchandiser with support from her husband, Bongani, a taxi driver. 

The baller is also grateful for how his parents kept him in line during his school days: 

"My parents have drilled the foundation that I now have, how I think about life, values such as respect and also how I see the future. It's because of them that I have never wanted to become a failure.

"Even at school I am proud to say they pushed me to do well to a point where I was always on the podium when my school, Indoni High in Meadowlands, was recognizing the best students," says Vila who revealed the career paths he might have taken up if it wasn't for football:

"Like a lot of the kids at school, I also saw myself one day being a lawyer, doctor or the president but ended up studying Business Management at Unisa whilst playing football professionally. We did not have a proven soccer player that we looked up to and said 'okay, this one has achieved everything and is successful after football' – I don'tt remember clear examples, maybe just the [Bafana Bafana] 1996 Africa Cup of Nations squad for what they achieved then," adds Vilakazi, who had some amazing words for his daughter and being a father:

"She is the best thing to happen to me, the center of my world. Every decision is based on her wellbeing and making sure she is as loved as I felt growing up. My life is no longer about me now."