Master was a member of Montshepetja Academy’s first soccer team and one of the most promising and talented youngsters who captained the Montshepetja Academy Class of 2003-2008.

Master and his group spent their leisure time at the Academy’s sports fields, thereby having full use and benefit of the facilities. In December of 2008 it was decided by the management of the Academy that it was time for this group of young people who had spent over five years under the leadership of the Academy to be released to join different soccer clubs of their choice that already existed in the community.

One of the primary reasons for the decision to release these youngsters was so that the class of 2003-2008 could make way for a new generation or class of future stars. Montshepetja felt that it had assisted their process of development by giving them fundamentals in life in general and not just in soccer and sheltered them during critical years of their lives.

However, as you will hear from Master in the following interview conducted by Kabelo Sakong, the challenges in our communities remain and much more work needs to be done to help our young people achieve success with their lives.

1. Give us a brief insight on who is Master.

Well, for starters… Master is not my real name. My real name is Khutso Ben Makhafola. I was given the nickname master – if I am correct for I was very young – because I was one of the most promising or outstanding players among my peers.

I was born and brought up in Moletlane, an area in the district of Zebediela in the Limpopo province on the 31st of January 1989. I attend school at Chita Kekana Senior Secondary School in the same district. And as it is a given fact by now, I am a very optimistic or ambitious soccer player.

2. When did you start playing soccer and what is it at the moment that you love most about playing soccer?

I started playing soccer in 2002, on the streets of my village or community. In 2003 I joined Montshepetja Academy when it formed its soccer team. I was inspired by my brothers who are gifted soccer players in order to play soccer.

What I love most about playing soccer at the moment is playing away games. They give me an opportunity to make an impression, to shine and to make a name for myself and to promote my team’s name. Lastly, I believe that so much is learned from playing away from home, out of one`s comfort zone. There are always new faces that we play against on away games and they present great and beneficial challenges. This has done me a lot of good in terms of confidence, knowledge and development.

3. What is the name of your current soccer club and please tell us a bit about it?

The name of my current soccer club is Bathokwa Football Club. It is a good club with good players. Bathokwa FC is owned by the Mogotlane tribe at Moletlane, Zebediela. However, it has many challenges. We struggle financially and that leads to all sorts of problems. We depend on the support of both the community at large and the royal house, which, as I have said, is difficult because the community is not rich. I think the biggest problem is lack of management or leadership skill.

4. What other problems do you and your team experience?

Firstly, as I have indicated, lack of resources make it difficult for us to do things properly so that we can achieve success. We need support in the form of leadership and fans to give us courage and comfort where necessary. Secondly, we lack the basic equipment for training and for playing soccer so that we can learn properly and prepare for our futures. We need equipment such as playing outfit, properly maintained soccer balls and goal posts, etc.

I have to emphasize the point that I personally feel that our community can treat us better than they are currently doing. They don’t support us enough. There is just too much lack of seriousness among our people with regard to our progress.

5. In your opinion what makes a successful player?

In this day and age, I will say education. A player must be afforded the time to study in order to prepare for his future. Good coaching in respect of soccer is also needed. Lastly, support in general.

6. What nature of advice do you consider to be good advice for a young person like you?

It must encourage me as a young person to ‘play-safe’ so that I may achieve my goals in life. We – aspiring soccer players – must be encouraged on a regular basis to stay away from drugs as they are harmful to one`s health and aspirations. Talent needs coaching, training and a healthy lifestyle. Lastly, the use of condoms must also be stressed, great talents are lost to HIV/AIDS in our country.

7. What are your ambitions and aspirations?

I certainly want to become a legendary player at some ABSA Premier Soccer League club. Of course I also want thereafter to play for the national squad, Bafana Bafana. I would also like to acquire some prestigious soccer medals or awards through personal effort.

8. Any last words Master?

Yes, I would like to encourage my very own community and other communities out there to please support young people like me. We desperately need this. There is a lot of indifference in our communities and it is killing both our spirits as young people and the future of the communities. I must also say that young people themselves must be prepared to work very hard in order to become successful and help their families and communities.