I have always had a lot of respect for Patrice Motsepe for his contribution in the liberation of South Africa and for revolutionising our soccer.
I have always had a lot of respect for Patrice Motsepe for his contribution in the liberation of South Africa and for revolutionising our soccer.
But I was taken aback after approaching Motsepe on Saturday after his club, Mamelodi Sundowns, had won 1-0 over Free State Stars in Bethlehem.
It was Sundowns' first win in nine games and naturally I wanted to get a comment from Motsepe, who seems to always be accessible to certain media houses.
After exchanging greetings with Motsepe, and before I could even pose a single question, the hangers-on told me how busy their president was.
These hangers-on range from senior Sundowns administrative officials to security personnel, who always make it impossible for people to get close to Motsepe.
One old man, that I thought Motsepe would call to order, said "the president is leaving now". I'm talking about Motsepe, who was not even a metre away from me.
He referred me to Daniel "Mambush" Mudau. The latter had been appointed club spokesman after the suspension of Alex Shakoane.
Still there, one senior club official even offered to ask Motsepe the questions on my behalf and to send me the answers later. Some cheek indeed.
It also became clear to me that the presence of Motsepe at Sundowns' home and away games sends cold shivers down the spines of many of his own officials.
You could see some of them shaking when they talked to Motsepe.
And when Motsepe clapped hands after Esrom Nyandoro scored the match's solitary goal in the 66th minute, they mimicked him as if he was their choir master.
For the record, Motsepe remained at the stadium for another 30 minutes or so.
Motsepe must take a leaf out of the books of club owners like Mike Mokoena and others, and be accessible to the media, without discriminating.
Mokoena, himself a successful businessman, came to Goble Park without a driver or body guard and talked openly to the media.
Motsepe's snub also reminded me that I had also called him just after the Safa Appeals Board dismissed Sundowns' case against Jose Torrealba two weeks ago.
I phoned Motsepe not once or twice, but a number of times and even sent him messages via SMS.
He still has to respond.
I am seriously considering joining the "Sundowns hangers-on club" to get his attention.
How about that comrade president Motsepe?
Lighten up, Motsepe!
I have always had a lot of respect for Patrice Motsepe for his contribution in the liberation of South Africa and for revolutionising our soccer.
I have always had a lot of respect for Patrice Motsepe for his contribution in the liberation of South Africa and for revolutionising our soccer.
But I was taken aback after approaching Motsepe on Saturday after his club, Mamelodi Sundowns, had won 1-0 over Free State Stars in Bethlehem.
It was Sundowns' first win in nine games and naturally I wanted to get a comment from Motsepe, who seems to always be accessible to certain media houses.
After exchanging greetings with Motsepe, and before I could even pose a single question, the hangers-on told me how busy their president was.
These hangers-on range from senior Sundowns administrative officials to security personnel, who always make it impossible for people to get close to Motsepe.
One old man, that I thought Motsepe would call to order, said "the president is leaving now". I'm talking about Motsepe, who was not even a metre away from me.
He referred me to Daniel "Mambush" Mudau. The latter had been appointed club spokesman after the suspension of Alex Shakoane.
Still there, one senior club official even offered to ask Motsepe the questions on my behalf and to send me the answers later. Some cheek indeed.
It also became clear to me that the presence of Motsepe at Sundowns' home and away games sends cold shivers down the spines of many of his own officials.
You could see some of them shaking when they talked to Motsepe.
And when Motsepe clapped hands after Esrom Nyandoro scored the match's solitary goal in the 66th minute, they mimicked him as if he was their choir master.
For the record, Motsepe remained at the stadium for another 30 minutes or so.
Motsepe must take a leaf out of the books of club owners like Mike Mokoena and others, and be accessible to the media, without discriminating.
Mokoena, himself a successful businessman, came to Goble Park without a driver or body guard and talked openly to the media.
Motsepe's snub also reminded me that I had also called him just after the Safa Appeals Board dismissed Sundowns' case against Jose Torrealba two weeks ago.
I phoned Motsepe not once or twice, but a number of times and even sent him messages via SMS.
He still has to respond.
I am seriously considering joining the "Sundowns hangers-on club" to get his attention.
How about that comrade president Motsepe?
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