George Maluleka is flipping the script one page at a time. While he is doing his business in the middle of the park for AmaZulu FC, he is also taking care of his duties as the newly-appointed Deputy Secretary General of the South African Football Players Union, whose stated aim is to protect the rights of the players. As expected, it's a move that raised a few eyebrows, as the organisation is, in some quarters, viewed as an enclave of former footballers as opposed to those who are still playing. Soccer Laduma's Delmain Faver recently caught up with the Tembisa-born star to talk more about his new role, his tough balancing act and why he hopes to have more players actively involved in the union.
Delmain Faver: George, late last year, Soccer Laduma reported that you would be roped in by the South African Football Players Union, although it wasn't clear at the time what your role would be. It has now become apparent that you are the Deputy Secretary General. What are your thoughts on your appointment?
George Maluleka: I think, obviously, I'm honoured to be one of the players that are still active to be elected as part of the union. It's not going to be an easy task, but I think the leadership is going to help us to try and rebrand and rebuild the union. So, we are really trying to make sure we get a lot more players on our side because there is still a bit of belief that the union is not for the players, but I think it is evident that we are for the players and that we are here to serve and make sure that we protect them.
DF: As an active player, what are some of the concerns that have been raised by your teammates and what are the key areas that you will be focusing on as the DSG?
GM: I think there's so many to mention. There are so many cases filled with files. These are some of the cases, not all. These are some of the cases that need to be attended to with the clubs and the players, so it's very important that we have a very good relationship with the players. You know amajita (the guys), we try not to get into the space of a political space but just to make them understand and trying to make things a little bit easier for them so that there's more understanding that when they have such situations when it comes to clubs, then they know where to start. It's not only about lawyers and us fighting for their rights and into ezinjalo (things like that). There is a lot that goes into it. But, like I said, it is very evident that the union is back again, you know, and we want to make sure that the players back us up to say that the union is here for the players.
DF: When players get to a certain age, there is talk about transitioning to the next phase. At 35 now, where are you at in terms of that transition?
GM: No, I'm still a footballer. To be honest, that is the aftereffect, but okwamanje (for now). We put the players first, you know. The players are the ones that come first. It is not really about the transition, all of that, but it does help obviously because you have seen some of the guys, like Samuel Julies that are here. They are still very young, so hopefully when they grow old with this union, they can be able to explain to the other guys and make it easier with more understanding ukuthi (that) this is what happens and this is what SAFPU does for the PSL players.
DF: You play both sides of the fence at the moment because you are part of SAFPU, but then you are also an active player. So, you are basically who you guys cater for. Do you think that our players are as well-informed about what the union can do for them? There's a train of thought that says perhaps players are ignorant and all they want to do is play football…
GM: I do think there's enough knowledge and that's why we get some of the players that actually come through and bring cases forward or whatever they have to complain about or whatever… it is not necessarily (only) complaints. But, like I said before, understanding is very key for the players. We are not saying to them, 'Just go and play football.' It's very important to make sure ukuthi you know what is happening in the space, so there's a lot of programmes that we also have and we are building towards. Like I said, the leadership will direct us and show us the way and how to do things to make sure that we better the players with more knowledge because it's also contractual issues. You don't just go there and they say, 'Here is a contract, just sign it.' You need to go through the contract and read. When you read, you need to understand. So, with the agent, the commission fees, this is a lot of money. Also, financial education is also one of them. You need to know what happens, the ins and outs, the clauses, the rules and that. So, we are trying to make sure ukuthi the players can be able to go into that space with or without an agent. For example, for me, I'm at a stage now where I can be able to negotiate my contract because I have a bit of an understanding when it comes to contracts, the clauses and the financial aspect. I'm not perfect, I'm still learning, but SAFPU is here to make sure that we gather all these players and put them in one ball and make sure bayayazi (they know) what really goes down.
DF: What are some of the key things in your inbox that you want to address upon taking up your role?
GM: I want to learn more. I'm following, you know, Nhlanhla Shabalala, the Secretary General. He has done a tremendous job and so has the president (Thulaganyo Gaoshubelwe). Big ups to them, they've turned this place around. A lot of players did not believe in SAFPU anymore and you know, these guys came back and they got the place together, the players got the chance to elect people. So, for me, now I want to help out. I want to start because now I have an idea whenever there's a contractual issue, where it's going to go. So, I just wanna spread the message basically, maybe spread the message to the players to say, 'Guys, the union is for the players and we are here for you guys.' We are also just trying to get more and more players, you know. We are trying to work with the clubs to make sure there's that understanding. A lot of people think clubs and the union are not the same, kuyaliwa (there's fighting). Not really, but we just wanna get into a space where you get a lot of players into that space.
DF: How do you find the balance because, like you said, you are still very active as a player, but then obviously your duties require you to also be present in some capacity?
GM: It's very difficult, you know. I'm based in Durban. But I do try to make it when there are functions. I would like to see a lot more PSL players, even (from) NFD (National First Division, officially known as Motsepe Foundation Championship) to join, come into this place and see. This is the message, to try and get a lot more recruitment just to show SAFPU is in effect.
DF: Is this also you planning for life after football? You wear a lot of caps – you were with Engen last time we spoke to you and again are the Philly's Games ambassador. This means there's something that you are looking at beyond the game. Is this part of you doing that, making sure you learn the software as soon as possible?
GM: To be honest, for me yes and no. But it's also to send a message to the players as well because it doesn't stop here. Like, when you are done playing, that's when you want to start and do something. No, you should be able to start (before retiring), you know… and that's the problem that we have.
GEORGE MALULEKA FACT FILE
Full name: George Nyiko Maluleka
Date of birth: 7 January 1989
Place of birth: Tembisa, Gauteng
Nickname: Mido
Position: Midfielder
Jersey number: 12
Club: AmaZulu FC
Previous clubs: Kempton Park FC (amateur), University of Pretoria juniors, University of Pretoria, SuperSport United University of Pretoria (on loan), Ajax Cape Town, Kaizer Chiefs, Mamelodi Sundowns
Honours: 2008/09 League winner (with SuperSport), 2014 MTN8 winner, 2014/15 League winner (both with Chiefs), 2019/20 League winner, 2019/20 Nedbank Cup winner, 2020/21 League winner, 2021 MTN8 winner, 2021/22 League winner (all with Sundowns), 4 national U20 caps, 6 Bafana Bafana caps
