Not many footballers in the country can boast about making their professional debut against Kaizer Chiefs, let alone at the age of 20. But Cape Town City's new midfielder, Luyolo Slatsha, did just that when he was thrown in at the deep end during the last game of last season. From there, the club's development product has grown in leaps and bounds as he is trying to cement his place at the Citizen's starting line-up. In this emotional interview, with Soccer Laduma's Masebe Qina, Slatsha opens up about losing a parent who was a huge supporter and a pillar of strength to him and how he managed to overcome the loss. The 21-year-old reveals what he is doing to help aspiring footballers in his community to also realise their dreams of making it to professional football.
Masebe Qina: Luyolo, how has life been for you as a Cape Town City first team player?
Luyolo Slatsha: In the beginning it was like jumping onto a moving treadmill. Everything was happening quickly, and the tempo was high, and it took a lot of adjusting. You know, there are certain spaces that you must pick up and things like that and it took a lot of maturity. So, I would say, it is stuff that needs you to have a bit of bravery to take it on. It's like driving a hot iron, you drive it while it is hot and you know it is, but you keep on holding.
MQ: When you got promoted last year, did you expect it?
LS: Look, I always speak positively, and I always think of the best out of any situation no matter what it is. So, I did expect some form of progress even if it was not going to be at City. So, if it didn't happen at the club, I was still going to expect it to happen even at another club, and by that, I mean maybe outside of the country. But I did expect it, yes.
MQ: How did you receive the news of your promotion?
LS: So, what happened is that I was playing for the (DStv) Diski Challenge team and I was in a great space and doing well. Unfortunately, I sustained an injury and that put me out, and for three to four weeks. I was doing my rehab and after completing that, there was an opportunity during the (Kaizer) Chiefs game. I had recovered and training and when the opportunity came and I was ready. Imagine I was in a tough situation with the injury, and I had to overcome that, and from there within a week of training I was in the team. What happened was we got an early red card, and I had to come on. And there I was coming on and we were a man down but we ended up winning the game. That whole week for me happened very quickly but it was very important one of my life, having to overcome the injury and then got to play my first game in the PSL. It was such a huge jump but I didn't have time to quite absorb it and it's something that I will forever be grateful to the chairman for and to the club and everyone for trusting me and for giving me the kind of support I needed.
MQ: What did it feel like to make your debut against Chiefs?
LS: As the coach said, it was a baptism of fire. Making your debut against a team of Kaizer Chiefs' stature wasn't easy. It's a team that has done a lot in South African football history.
MQ: Which club did you grow up supporting?
LS: (Thinks for a while) I grew up supporting Cape Town City.
MQ: Take us through the moment when you were entering the field, what was going through your mind?
LS: At the end of the day, we are all professionals and I sort of got over the thought of coming up against the players I grew up watching. I was also in the same side with the players that I have always wanted to emulate when I got in the first team and therefore, I looked at it in both ways. I mean, we also have big-name players like Thabo Nodada and we have had players like Mpho Makola and Thato Mokeke. So, in that short period of time that I had been training with those guys and other big-name players that we have in the team, I had gotten over that feeling of being star-struck. When we faced Chiefs, I told myself that I was at work and needed to do the things that I needed to do for my team. What I told myself was, I couldn't fear something I didn't know about and that's how I approached the situation. I had never played against Chiefs at that level before and therefore I was not going to fear what I didn't know. I was never going to take other people's experiences and pressure situations that they might have found themselves in and make them mine. I went in there aiming to do what I know to do best and what I am comfortable with doing and that's exactly what I did.
MQ: Strong young man.
LS: At that time, we were leading 1-0 and I knew that we had to protect our lead and I told myself that I was going to track back and do whatever it took to see the game through that's what the objective was. Everyone was running for that one extra man and each one of us had to give more because it was 10 v 11 out there. I just needed to take that responsibility and see the game through and that's what my main objective was.
MQ: How did it all start for you in football?
LS: When I was growing up, and I was like six or seven years old, the only thing that I thought of doing was playing football on the street. I would just go and play with people I didn't even know sometimes but, strangely nobody ever wanted to rob me or do funny stuff to me. All I knew was playing football. After school, all I thought of was to go and play football. There's nothing else that made sense to me other than playing football. Not even rugby, PlayStation and things like that, it was just football for me. I had huge love for the ball, and I just kicked it.
MQ: Good decision you made as you are now a role model to some of the kids who would like to emulate you.
LS: As we were growing up, people started being interested in some other things like girls, drinking and all these things but for me it was all about football. Football helped me to stay away from things like drinking, smoking and all these things that people do, and it made me not to feel the pressure of doing those things because it kept me busy. I just loved playing and that's the only thing that made sense to me like I say. It got to a point where even my parents knew that this is something I wanted to do.
MQ: How was the support like from your parents?
LS: They were very supportive. They encouraged and supported me in everything I did that had to do with football. There is a point in life where it might seem like some things are being faked but for me, I didn't fake it and there was no point that I ever thought of stopping.
MQ: What's the feeling like at home now that you have made it into the professional ranks?
LS: My dad has been a huge supporter from when I played as a six-year-old and all the way up to the ABC Motsepe League. Unfortunately, after I made this huge jump, I lost my biggest supporter in my dad who passed away. He was everything to me. He was always there for me supporting and his presence always made the difference. He was someone who knew me and my football journey through and through. Unfortunately, right just before I made the jump, he couldn't be there to witness it.
MQ: We are sorry for your loss and may your father's soul rest in peace.
LS: Thanks man. My dad and I were very close in life and to be honest with you, when he passed away, I did think about quitting. I remember the night that I lost my dad, I told one of the coaches I worked with at LFA (Local Football League) level that I was done playing football because there was no longer a reason for me to do it. My father was one of the reasons I played football, and I wanted him to see me succeed. The coach persuaded me not to do it (quit) and he said my dad wouldn't have liked to see me quit. He said, "Play for him," and that's what I am doing now. My dad wanted the best for me, and I am doing what I am doing for him irrespective of where he is. Even when he was sick, he would encourage me to go and play and that's the kind of support I am talking about from someone who always pushed me to be the best. There was no resistance from him with his support to make it in football and he was always willing to make a plan for me if he had to.
MQ: Do you mind talking to us about what happened to you father?
LS: What happened was during that Covid period, he was working from home. Obviously, at the time he didn't do some of the things that he used to, like keeping active and things like that and he started getting sick basically. He collapsed and when he went to the doctor, he was told that it had something to do with his lungs that exploded. The doctor mentioned that if it was just one lung, they could have done something to save his lungs but unfortunately it was both lungs that exploded and there was nothing that they could do at that stage. That's what happened with my dad.
MQ: Again, we are sorry, and a good thing is that you are doing everything you are doing now for him. He must be smiling over you and your family wherever he is. We understand that you come from a family of sports enthusiasts.
LS: I've got a younger brother who is also into sports, but the only problem is that he plays rugby. Okay, it's not necessarily a problem but it is just a situation that we are having. He is a very big guy (in stature) and I support him as much as I can. I try my best to be there for him whenever I can, as you know that I am also busy with my football commitments. He is 10 years old, and I just want him to do whatever he wants to do (and won't try to force him into football). My dad was also a sportsman. He was a boxer, and his name was Khayalethu Slatsha. My mom was an athlete and she used to run like nobody's business and her name is Noxolo Slatsha.
MQ: Back home, how do aspiring footballers feel about your progress?
LS: Ndingowase (I am from) Dimbaza ngase (outside of) Qonce, and here in Cape Town I live in Parklands. I think I am a beacon of hope to them as one of their own who has made it this far. If they see me walking in the street, drinking the same water they drink and shopping in the same supermarket they shop at, it gives them that hope to say that this thing is possible. I always try whenever I can to make myself available to watch their games and to encourage the guys. I do everything that I can to support them and in so doing pushing the next guy to come up because in the end that's what we want.
MQ: Lolo, we thank you and wish you everything of the best for the rest of the season.
LS: Ndiyabulela kakhulu tata, siwatye onke (Thank you very much).
LUYOLO SLATSHA FACT FILE
Date of birth: 2 July 2002
Nickname: Lolo
Place of birth: Cape Town, Western Cape
Position: Midfielder
Club: Cape Town City
Jersey number: 44
Previous clubs: Table View Football Club, Ajax Cape Town juniors, Cape Town City reserves
