In this edition of Story Behind The Nickname, former South African international goalkeeper Jethren Barr shares the story behind his nickname, 'Inkosi Yabelungu'.
Barr is currently a free agent and has expressed his willingness to consider offers from Premier Soccer League clubs in South Africa.
The 29-year-old has previously played for teams such as Bidvest Wits and Maritzburg United.
Your nickname, Inkosi Yabelungu, how did it come about?
"I have a friend named Mehlemamba Ngidi. We created some videos together online that went viral, and he was blessed by a Zulu chief and dubbed 'Inkosi Yabelungu.'
"From those videos featuring both of us, people also began calling me that, and it’s a nickname that just stuck. I embraced it and love it. However, that honour, if I’m being honest, belongs to my friend Mehlemamba Ngidi. I assume this is how the nickname actually started, haha."
Did you like it in the beginning?
"I think the reason it stuck is that I really embraced it and showed my love and appreciation for Zulu culture online. I love KwaZulu-Natal and enjoy being around Zulu people, probably because I grew up near a township called Claremont and spent a lot of time there when I was younger.
"These kasi skills had to come from somewhere, right? My only regret so far in my career is that I have not played for a team from my hometown of Durban."
Do you have any other nicknames besides this one?
"I really love the Inkosi Yabelungu nickname! It’s what people call me now, and I’m happy to accept it. I’ve had many other nicknames too, such as Zulu, Umuntu Omhlophe, Qonqa, and Ikati LaseRenk—there are so many, haha! But the most common one is definitely Inkosi Yabelungu."
