South Africa's 'Zulu warrior' shows his softer side

He has been called Mercedes Benz, Iron Man and Zulu Warrior because of his strength on the field, but former national soccer champion and Monash South Africa soccer coach Mr Linda Buthelezi is showing he has a softer side through his involvement with disadvantaged youth.

Mr Buthelezi, who has returned to Monash South Africa to coach the soccer team for a third season, is hoping to use his position at the campus to help encourage and facilitate disadvantaged young people from southern Africa going on to tertiary study at Monash.

In training: Former national soccer champion Linda Buthelezi is an inspiration to the MSA soccer team.

As well as coaching the Monash soccer team, Mr Buthelezi coaches the Linda Ama Hopefuls, a team of 70 children of varying ages from across South Africa, Lesotho, Zambia and Zimbabwe. While the children attend the coaching clinics to learn soccer skills from the great player, Mr Buthelezi sees it as an opportunity to mentor the young people in life skills as well.

"I grew up in a township in Soweto, and that is part of the reason why I am doing this. I wanted to go back to the townships to help these young people," he says. "If they don't have someone looking out for them, showing them they can fulfil their dreams, they will be more likely to get involved in crime or drugs.

"I would like to create a link, an opportunity for these youngsters, to facilitate kids from the townships in South Africa coming to Monash. If I can help them achieve goals academically, it will mean I'll be achieving goals personally."

Mr Buthelezi started playing soccer when he was eight. At 15 his potential was recognised, and at 18 he started playing professionally.

He played professional soccer for 12 years for clubs including the Jomo Cosmos, Orlando Pirates, Sundown Football Club, Supersport and Kaizer Chiefs, as well as the South African team Bafana Bafana. He has also played for Karabuc Spor in Turkey, Posco Football Club in Korea and Birmingham in England.

Mr Buthelezi joined the Monash campus in its first year in South Africa. He says he came to Monash because he believed that education was important for young people and felt that as well as teaching soccer skills he could help the students in many other ways.

"People often ask me why I don't coach a professional team," he says. "But this is something that is really close to my heart, and I believe I can make a difference in the lives of these young people."

Action

For information on sport at Monash South Africa, contact sports officer Mr Johan Smith on +27 11 950 4007 or email jacob.smith@adm.monash.edu