Holomisa: Just Fix That Department At Chiefs | Soccer Laduma

Bantu Holomisa is a Kaizer Chiefs fan.

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.