He has seen little action this season under Vladimir Vermezovic but there is no doubting this diminutive midfielder’s quality. He welcomed an opportunity to answer questions from supporters.

Since you joined Kaizer Chiefs you have never been a regular in the team, yet you were still kept in the team. What is your secret?


M.S Shobede

Gerald Sibeko: The secret has always been hard work and staying positive in everything I do. I am disciplined and I respect my job.

So many years at Kaizer Chiefs, yet we never hear bad publicity about you at all. What keeps you grounded and do you see yourself playing for another Club or, thus said, what are your future plans career-wise?


Matome Maenetja

Gerald Sibeko: Like I said in the previous question, I am quite disciplined and a solid family background while growing up influenced this. They were very strict at home; for instance I would know what time I needed to be home every day. This helped me a lot.

I have not thought of joining any other Club in the Premier League. That has not crossed my mind at all!

I love watching you but most coaches do not play you. Despite this you have remained disciplined. What motivates you?


Cape Town Lab

Gerald Sibeko: It has to be the friends I keep. I hang out a lot with people who are positive about life. I believe it is just a matter of time before I start playing again for the team. I have been working hard at training.

Do you think you are in a similar position as Joseph Makhanya, who has also spent more than 10 years at Orlando Pirates without enough game time? Are you afraid to go and try your luck somewhere else? Are you still regarded as one of the young players? Do you use the senior players’ change room? What motivates you to wake up and go to training when you are hardly selected?


Timothy Makamu

Gerald Sibeko: Not really! I am not sure what the situation with Joseph (Makhanya) at Orlando Pirates is as I am not there. I am not afraid to go try somewhere else. The point is I believe I still have a lot to offer at Chiefs, a Club that I love dearly.

I am one of the senior players in the team and I use the senior players’ change room. The younger guys in the team call me ‘Grootman’. I know, because of my physique, I look younger, but the guys still respect me.

I have a good relationship with the younger players and, as a senior player I have an obligation to guide them whenever I can. I remember when I arrived in the team. Guys like Doc (Doctor Khumalo), Thabo (Mooki), Jacob (Tshisevhe), Lifa (Gqosha) and Patrick Mabedi all played a huge role in guiding us and that helped us understand the culture of the Club.

I want to find out which church do you attend? I am a pastor. I want to invite you to our church?


Pastor Monepi Motlanthe

Gerald Sibeko: I go to Grace Bible Church in Pimville and I also attend a church in Orlando. I will be glad to go to your church as long as it is a Christian church. Contact the Club so that we can make arrangements.

Where is Gerald Sibeko? What is he doing at present and are we going to see him playing?


Lefaso Chaka

Gerald Sibeko: (Smiling) I am still here at Chiefs, working hard and yes I will be back on the field of play. I struggled with an injury at some stage but I am fine now and raring to go any time I am given an opportunity.

What do you get up to when you are not engaged in football activities? Younger players can take notes on your life…do you smoke or drink perhaps?

Gerald Sibeko: I am always at the Chiefs Village training. After training I always drive home to relax. I enjoy reading books and currently I am reading the book, ‘Become a better you’ by Joel Osteen. I also read the Bible a lot and Steve Harvey books. If I am not reading something I am always updating myself with new IT software.

I have loved IT since my cousin Aubrey Mochela gave me a PC a while ago. He taught me all I needed to know about hardware and software. As for drinking and smoking, no I do not do that.

KC.com note: (after this interview Gerald Sibeko spoke to the Club’s video analyst, Kenny Dambe, asking him about the software he is using on his laptop. This man is really crazy about IT)

How do you feel for not playing regularly, what do you think is the problem?


Isaac Ntjabane

Gerald Sibeko: It can be frustrating at times but that is football for you. I think credit should go to the players that have been playing in my position, Reneilwe (Letsholonyane) and Tinashe (Nengomasha) have both been consistent and this has made it difficult for me to break into the team.

What keeps you enthused? Are there any ventures you are currently undertaking besides football? Do you have anyone special in your life and what car do you drive?


BudaP

Gerald Sibeko: One thing that keeps me going is the love I have for this game. I have always loved football growing up in Meadowlands, Soweto. I used to watch my father playing every Sunday afternoon at a ground next to our house. I have never looked back. I am grateful for what football has done for me.

I do have someone very special in my life, Portia Sibeko. Traditionally we have been married for three to four years and we had a white wedding about two years ago. I drive a BMW.

Have you achieved everything you wanted from this team or do you think you have been lucky to be there (at Kaizer Chiefs) for all these years. Are you friends with Kaizer Motaung Jr?

Gerald Sibeko: (Keeps quiet for few seconds) This is a tough one…I do not think I have achieved what I wanted to achieve when I joined the Club because I have always wanted to play regular football. I do not believe in luck and I think my dedication to the game and discipline are one of the reasons why I have been here for such a long time. I respect everyone here at the Village and I greet everyone.

I have been friends with Kaizer since our days at Development. We click and he is always there for me when I am not okay, and vice versa. We have a lot in common. We are both spiritual, we are both Christians and we also come from firm family backgrounds.

Being at Kaizer Chiefs is always special, but lack of game time in the team might have made you think twice about the future of your team. Should your contract expire with Chiefs will you consider renewing it?


Albert Baloyi

Gerald Sibeko: Yes I will, definitely, as long as the team wants me.

Who is your current favourite player in the Premier Soccer League?


Promise Ndwandwe

Gerald Sibeko: It has to be Mamelodi Sundowns’ Elias Pelembe. He works very hard but is still very skillful. He is the kind of player that I like.

What advice can you give to a player like Michael Nkambule, who finds himself in the same situation you are in?


Beaver

Gerald Sibeko: Firstly, Skappie is a very good player and I rate him as one of the best around. He needs to work very hard and convince the coach that he deserves to be here. Football is his career and he needs to put more effort in. He should not be discouraged as age is still on his side.

Would you jump the ship if Sundowns approached you and is it true that Julius Malema used to date your sister?


Doctor Nkosi

Gerald Sibeko: No, I am happy at Chiefs and I see my future here. I have a sister. She is married now. We talk a lot and she never mentioned anything about the guy.

Kaizerchiefs.com, together with Gerald Sibeko, thanks all those who took the time to send questions and offer words of encouragement.