Going by the sobriquet “Gusheshe”, which in township parlance is an alternative name for BMW, a vehicle model known for its effortless ability to leave its counterparts on the road eating dust, Jimmy Kauleza’s prolific and predatory nature as a striker first stole the eye at Free State Stars. Equally talented players such as Duncan Lechesa, Tsweu Mokoro and Goodman Mazibuko, to mention just three, were responsible for ensuring this sleek ‘German machine’ evaded roadblocks in the form of Gerald Raphahlela, the late Joas Magolego and the like. And as one door shut in the form of Ea Lla Koto’s franchise being bought by the League along with that of Ria Stars to reduce the number of topflight clubs from 18 to 16, another opened as Orlando Pirates came calling.
This was Johannesburg, and at times this Gusheshe could be found parked pitchside, as gametime proved hard to come by, but still, he managed six Bafana Bafana caps. Now, more than a decade since retirement, the 46-year-old took time out of his busy schedule to speak to Soccer Laduma’s Zola Doda. The conversation centres around the national team, who are currently doing duty at the Africa Cup of Nations, while there are some choice words for the man in charge, the irrepressible Hugo Broos. Fasten your seatbelt!
Zola Doda: Jimmy, it’s been more than 10 years since you retired from football. What have you been up to nowadays?
