From humble beginnings to working for one of the biggest and most respected teams in Africa, the story of Orlando Pirates media contributor Tandi Merafe is inspiring. Merafe followed her dream and passion, putting other things aside such as education, and her involvement in football management is full of great memories. ALSO READ: Why coach Banyana Ellis wanted to snub the Caf. Growing up in Soweto, Merafe was surrounded by boys most of the time. It’s not that she didn’t have sisters, she grew up in a family of seven where…
From humble beginnings to working for one of the biggest and most respected teams in Africa, the story of Orlando Pirates media contributor Tandi Merafe is inspiring.
Merafe followed her dream and passion, putting other things aside such as education, and her involvement in football management is full of great memories.
ALSO READ: Why coach Banyana Ellis wanted to snub the Caf awards ceremony
Growing up in Soweto, Merafe was surrounded by boys most of the time. It’s not that she didn’t have sisters, she grew up in a family of seven with three brothers and four sisters.
But following her brothers was something she was used to, not being with her sisters.
And, as expected, playing with the boys in the town would only lead to one thing, football, and this is where the passion and love for the beautiful game was born in the Pirates media employee, who praises her mother for instilling great values in her and all her brothers and sisters.
“I grew up like any other small town kid. There were great times and, of course, there were bad times. But I cherish every moment. Thanks to my single parent mother, my siblings and I grew up in a loving home. She took very good care of us and I’m proud of who I am because it’s all from her teachings. But I’ve had my fair share of hide-and-seek,” she laughs.
“You know, when you were not okay, your parents punished you, so I am from there too. But it was all part of life lessons, and my mother always wanted things to be done right.”
Little did Merafe know at the time that playing soccer with the boys would actually lead her to love the game and, most importantly, the Pirates badge.
“Growing up in Soweto you were either a Pirates fan or a Kaiser Chiefs fan. So it just so happens that my friend was a Chiefs fan, so I had to be a Pirates fan because he said we couldn’t both support the same team. And from that day on, my love for the team grew stronger and stronger.”
Collaboration with the brothers eventually turned her into a football player. She only started acting seriously when she entered Wits University to qualify for her LL.B. Little did she know, however, that she would have to put her studies on hold after traveling to Beijing for the 2000 World University Games.
“I was amazed by the organization of the whole event, it was just amazing. I just couldn’t believe that the whole planning was so perfect, from the opening ceremony to the end, when my vocation as a football administrator began. I just wanted to know everything about organizing the event and everything that goes on behind the scenes,” she added.
Merafe has since followed her passion and eventually ended up at the Pirates, where she was welcomed with open arms and found herself working for a team she loves with all her heart.
The mother of a nine-year-old boy nicknamed “2010”, the year the FIFA World Cup was held on African soil for the first time in the game’s history, Merafa’s son’s nickname speaks volumes about her football. travel.
The Pirates press officer eventually qualified as an LLB through Unisa and enjoys her job.
However, because of all the travel she takes with the team domestically and in Africa — like last season when the Pirates competed in the Confederation Cup Café — she admits she’s spending less time with her son and being in the road tires morally and psychologically.
Her siblings have made life easier for her by being around the baby, especially when she is abroad, and she says she always makes sure to spend as much time with him as possible and always tries to make up for it. time when she is not around.
