SuperSport United winger Aubrey Modiba loves women.

Not with the kind of love of a philanderer but from an appreciation of having grown up in a household held together by caring women.

Modiba was raised by single parent, Magdalene. Also in the picture were grandmother Florah, great-grandmother Selinah and aunts Mollale and Selinah at home in Matshelapata, 37km east of Polokwane.

He feels it has made him to be gentle and have compassion.

"I am proud of having been around strong women when I grew up and I did not even feel that there was no father around," Modiba said.

"I actually grew up calling my grandmother mama, so the women in my life mean everything to me. They have made me who I am and have showed me how to be a man."

The 22-year-old enjoys relaxing at home in Midrand where he enjoys video games.

The shy and soft-spoken Bafana Bafana international is an advocate of community development and education in his home village.

Modiba this week returned to his former school, Makgefola Primary, to unveil a multipurpose R1.2-million sports court. The project is funded by Nedbank and The Sports Trust.

"I want other kids to be given an opportunity just like I was given a chance to be somebody.

"I remember when my grandmother brought me my first [soccer] boots," he reminisced.

"I was nine I think, and she got the boots that someone had thrown away. They were a bigger size and I played with them even though they didn't fit me.

"I am working on building my family a house just to show appreciation. I also try to help in my community."