A former Kaizer Chiefs player has taken the decision to move to Botswana to manage a Virgin Active gym, expressing his excitement at this latest opportunity in his journey as a fitness enthusiast.
It's been close to 20 years since Nhlanhla Mathebula called time on his playing career, a decision that was forced by injury while he was at PJ Stars. While he was at Amakhosi, Mathebula got an opportunity to study sports management and he is now using that qualification to make a difference in the health and fitness industry.
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Having managed Virgin Active clubs in Soweto and Kempton Park previously, Mathebula has now been tasked with 'revitalising' the Airport Junction shopping centre gym in Botswana. As someone who used to play in the middle of the park, Mathebula would know how to manage the load that the job is going to come with.
"I've been living under the radar. Life goes on after football. We did our part when the time allowed. I retired in 2006, many moons ago. I was playing for PJ Stars and I got a very bad ankle injury and I decided to call it quits. But it has not been a difficult transition because what I am doing now is also aligned to sports, health and wellness," Mathebula told the Siya crew.
"Currently, I am a club general manager for Airport Junction Virgin Active. I've recently been appointed. Before that, I was a club manager at the Soweto Virgin Active, before it's closure. Previously, I was a manager at Glen Acres in Kempton Park. There was a time when RAU (University of Johannesburg) and Kaizer Chiefs worked together. We studied Sports Management, so it was a great tool for me after football that I had that diploma.
Mathebula is still in South Africa, but expects to leave for Botswana in the next few days. He has signed a 12-month contract.
"I started at Virgin Active in 2012 as a fitness instructor. Everything was just aligned. I was supposed to move to Botswana in January. I went there for a week to assess the club and the staff. I am working for my visa, which can be approved at any time. It was the company that said they need to go to revitalise the club that side, based on what I have done with the clubs I have worked with, in terms of giving positive energy to staff and building and maintaining our membership base. That's the task I have been given.
Mathebula's voice and enthusiasm when he talks about his next gig tells you how much he loves what he is doing. Just as he loved football, he feels the same about what he does right now for a living.
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"If I did not enjoy it, I would not be where I am in terms of being part of management at club level. It's all about loving what you do. As soon as I realise that I can grow in the company, that's what I did. It's been awesome. Having mentors who guided me helped a lot. There is Silas, Malicious, Paul, Jason, Jacques and Hashim. Those are guys who guided me. They are Virgin Active employees."
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