I would like to respond as follows;

1. To get people to the stadium early (as per the recommendations from the Ngoepe’s Commission of enquiry). In order to achieve this a team has to offer what appeals to the supporters. Kaizer Chiefs has gained tremendous experience in knowing what the supporters want and as such we pride ourselves in having the highest attendance figures in the country.

Even higher than the National Team. We have managed to mix entertainment and curtain raisers effectively so as to maximize supporters match day experience. At our home game against Sundowns on the 30th March this year the legends managed to attract a crowd of 12 000 people to the stadium 3 hours before kickoff. Thereby ensuring the effective flow of entry into the stadium. This is something not even the top selling artist in this country can achieve.

2. To Empower former Kaizer Chiefs players.

As you might or might not know, yesteryears players did not have the opportunities that today’s players have in terms of financial management as well as the respect they truly deserve. As a result of this a lot of the ex-players are currently unemployed.

Once you have soccer in your blood it is difficult to get it out. By allowing our former greats to participate in such initiatives we are not only empowering them financially (we have obtained a substantial sponsorship from Iwisa which is spent directly on the Legends) but also mentally as it occupies their time with what they love most i.e. soccer.

3. To make former players feel part of the Kaizer Chiefs family. We pride ourselves in maintaining family values. It is through this philosophy that we don’t discard our family but rather embrace them and honor them as is customary in African culture.

The Kaizer Chiefs Legends have become a sub brand of the Kaizer Chiefs brand. On analyzing the origins of the Kaizer Chiefs brand it is important to acknowledge the fact that we are where we are today thanks to our past. It is through the hard work dedication and skill of former greats that Kaizer Chiefs became so strong as a brand. Through the Legends project it give Kaizer Chiefs the opportunity to truly honor our past legends as part of our history.

In terms of development and our Youth. As you know Kaizer Chiefs have a comprehensive and very successful youth development programme. I don’t think we need to go into the success this programme has achieved. Enough to say that Chiefs together with Pirates are in the forefront of youth development. Your suggestion that we showcase our future and “not the people we may be burying tomorrow”, smacks of jealousy and bitterness as all of the guys are both younger and fitter than you, and more than likely you will be buried before them.

The sports minister’s comments that when he watches soccer he does not want to see Putco Mafani and Alex Shakoane playing is in response to a playful repertoire used at a press conference in an effort to get people to the stadium. If Minister Balfour had even bothered to come or even watch the game on TV he would have known that neither of the two gentlemen in question played in the curtain raiser.

Your insinuations about our ex-players being drunkards and not playing entertaining football are unqualified, unsubstantiated and shows that you have not watched a Legends game recently as this would show you that in fact, the guys still have what it takes. Also bear in mind that the average age of our Legends is 38. Hardly ‘pensioners’ as you say, unless you yourself are a teenager.

In conclusion to this issue I want to comment that the media are very funny. When clubs don’t look after their ex-players they are lambasted by the media, when we do, the same happens. It’s a fact of life that you can never make everybody happy. But rest assured Sello that we do have our ears on the ground and our attendance figures speak for themselves. Our supporters love to watch our Legends as do we all at Kaizer Chiefs.

It is an International trend that ex-players are involved in the soccer structures, both development and administration. Kaizer Motaung is a sterling example of this. If only SAFA could have the same philosophy in looking after ex players and tapping into their vast knowledge and experience instead of hiring useless, people and encouraging job protection.

Then maybe people like Phil Masinga, Tebogo Moloi, Teenage Dladla and the likes would not be involved in different industries but rather in the industry that they have the most to offer - South African Soccer.

Love and Peace!

Emy Casaletti-Page


Kaizer Chiefs Brand Manager