Orlando Pirates midfield enforcer Makhehleni Makhaula has disclosed the journey of how he has moved from being a cleaner into a footballer who believes the Bucs can topple Mamelodi Sundowns in the 2023/24 season.
Makhaula joined Pirates in January from AmaZulu and within six months had won the Nedbank Cup – the second piece of silverware in his career.
Yet fact is that prior to breaking into professional football he even held a job as a cleaner for the Bosasa Group at the Lindela Repatriation Centre in Krugersdorp.
"I used to work at Bosasa as a cleaner for like two years before I went to Free State Stars," reveals Makhaula.
The earnings cap in that job started at a meagre R1900 and instead of surrendering himself to the life of being a cleaner, Makhaula has realised his dream of representing the club he supported as a child.
"Honestly speaking, I always think about my journey because of how difficult it was where I started.
"But I'm glad I'm where I am today because I kept on believing that one day this is going to happen.
"Even my late mom and late aunt always told me and my brothers and sisters that I'm going to build the family a house through playing professional football.
"Those words remained with me and are the reason why I kept on pushing.
"I have been able to extend the RDP house that had always been there and made it bigger.
"I think my late mom and late aunt are resting in peace because they can see how I have been able to look out for the family in the same way they foresaw this.
"I so wish that they were here when Pirates asked that players bring their mothers for Mothers' Day but unfortunately it couldn't happen that way.
"But then I still find joy in going to their graves to talk to them while I'm also playing for the club that they supported.
"What has struck me the most about being at Pirates are the fans who I love because I also love the badge as I have always supported the club growing up.
"I have always wanted to play for the club, and it is a club that is always competing for the league and the cups.
"It is for this reason that I felt I should change my environment and be at a club where I want to compete for everything," says Makhaula pointing out to how convinced he is that they can possibly dethrone Sundowns this season.
"Sundowns didn't get to where they are overnight.
"But with the way we were so together during pre-season in Spain gives me all the belief.
"If we can take that pre-season brotherhood and put in on the field then nobody can stop us.
"All we need to do is fight for each and everything and that way we will go a long way.
"It is all about brotherhood and fighting for each other on the field to make the Orlando Pirates fans happy and representing the badge with pride.
"That is all that matters is fighting like we are at war," says Makhaula.
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