Lovey plans to play soccer until he makes it to pro | Alex News
February 5, 2025

Soccer is more than just a favourite pastime for the residents of Alexandra. For many young people across the township community, the sport of football presents more than just entertainment – diski gives the youth hope to make life better for themselves and their families.

Local United Stars midfielder Lovey Mulaudzi (23) shared his story of how soccer was a vehicle towards realising his goal of someday running a successful catering business.

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Raised by what he described in a ‘well-mannered household’, Mulaudzi first chose football as a child because it kept him off the streets, and beyond the influences of the wrong side of the law.

“My male role models weren’t always on the right side of the law and I did not turn into what they were like,” Mulaudzi said. “I chose soccer because I just wanted to run from becoming condemned by the streets, and the unhealthy environment of being around people that smoke.”

Lovey Mulaudzi

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As a child, Mulaudzi played for the Alex United youth team, which was called Moroka Young Lions. Now, he and his teammates from United Stars train at Safe Hub on weekdays.
Through regularly being at Safe Hub, Mulaudzi came to realise the possibility of becoming a businessman.

It was a sunny day for football. Photo: Bonakele Sithole.

“ I remember I was around 13 when we started coming here to play,” said Mulaudzi. “Coming to Safe Hub frequently allowed me to learn about business, and what’s possible in the business sector across Alex. That’s how I first entered the catering industry.”
Safe Hub is known as an all-purpose centre in the community which facilitates learning and skills growth opportunities for local youths such as Mulaudzi.

Although Mulaudzi got the paperwork necessary to operate his catering business, his operation suffered from investors wanting to dictate how his business should work, rather than allow for his own visions to materialise. He also realised that there weren’t enough hours in a day to give equal attention to soccer and establish a catering business under those conditions.

“My catering business was called The Love Café. Within that, I found myself not working for myself, but working for the partnerships. That’s when I decided to rather be patient and pursue my soccer career first, knowing that I’d make it to the pro level and start getting paid. That’s when I’ll reestablish my business, which is currently on hold.”

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Related article: New soccer competition for Alex schools launches

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Source: https://www.citizen.co.za/alex-news/news-headlines/2025/02/05/mulaudzis-love-for-soccer/

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