Panyaza Lesufi on Moroka Swallows
Gauteng Premier Mr. Panyaza Lesufi told Ukhozi FM Traffic anchor Ayanda Msweli that when he grew up was supporting Moroka Swallows . He attended the SA Duma tournament under 20 over the weekend in KwaZulu Natal . Orlando Pirates assistant coach Mandla Ncikazi , Richards Bay Chairman Jomo Biyela , Richards Bay coach Papi Zothwane and Ukhozi fm soccer commentator were all in the tournament to watch the talent . Lesufi said " Swallows means everything in my life . I supported Swallows when I was young , my father was Pirates supporter and my elder brother was a Swallows .
" During the first Mainstay Cup against Witbank Black Aces at Ellis Park goal scored by Ace Mnini , I still remember that game . That was my first match I so that talent . I took everything ; people will tell you , when you have interest in the team , must put your mind , your energy and everything . So when I became a premier it became difficult for me to balance the two . I allowed people to run the club ; unfortunately it collapsed said Lesufi " . He further revealed that during the days of apartheid he wrote his matric exams from prison .
" I arrived in KZN in 1990 I was from prison. I wrote my matric in prison . The apartheid regime arrested me during 1988 on the state of emergency, but my parents were not worried about struggles . My elder brother was in Exile so what they said to me was , education first ; you can do all your struggles but go to school . So it was unfortunate that when I got arrested in 1988 I was in Matric . I did not write exams because I was in prison . In 1989 my parents insisted that I should write my exams before I did not write the previous year . It is when I said bring all my books I will write in prison . I wrote and pass with flying colors.
" When they released me it is when I came to KZN and I met lot of comrades. I was 17 to 18 years at that time . After getting my matric results my parents applied on my behalf at University of Natal I did not applied . My father was a gardener working for a certain German company . In those days I was interested in poetry , football and drama that was my life . At school they used to call me Mzwakhe Mbuli . I studied Bcom , I needed social science . At school I was a SRC president , Jeff Radebe was first secretary of SACP in Durban . The late Harry Gwala supported me a lot so he just loved me from norwhere . He influenced my thinking , he was a fearless person said Lesufi .
" My real name is Hendrick . I was advised to use the name Panyaza because police were looking for me and the only way to find me was to look at my school books . There was a player from Swallows his name was Panyaza so I had to use his name. When Fani Madida relocates to Tembisa to join Highlands Park I was playing with him at that time " .