“I want to stress the importance of education,” Gauteng Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation MEC Molebatsi Bopape told the Kaizer Chiefs players on her visit to the Village today. “Please guys, listen to the advice I am giving you. You can only play soccer for a short period. Get an education during your career, so you will also have a future after your football career is over. We don’t want to bury our former soccer heroes as poor people.”

Bopape has been visiting all the Absa Premiership clubs based in Gauteng Province. She noted how the Amakhosi have been doing well this season, already winning a trophy (the MTN8). “You guys are making Gauteng proud,” she mentioned.

The MEC furthermore spoke about the multi-purpose sports centres that the Gauteng provincial government are setting up in various townships and the Legends Dinner on Thursday, 4 December, at the Gauteng Cricket Stadium.

In a word of thanks to Bopape, Amakhosi coach Stuart Baxter reiterated the necessity of players getting further education to prepare themselves for life after soccer. “It’s something we regularly discuss,” he said. He also spoke about the importance of players being role models in society, which means that they have to behave themselves well, on- and off-the-field. This includes the attitude of gratitude.”