Random ramblings of a United fan

Random ramblings of a United fan

You see how Chelsea even managed to win a game they need not have? A game which for all intents and purposes could have been a run around for squad players? They won because Watford can't defend apparently, but also because they have a championship winning mentality. They feel they can beat anyone.
 Juxtapose that against Mourinho's Man United who's sole focus is on a game in Stockholm in a weeks time. I am a regular reader of Juan Mata's blog. In his latest offering he talks of using the game against Southampton to ensure they're in the right form for next Wednesday's final, as though the back to back losses in London won't have any affect on them whatsoever.

The single minded focus on winning the Europa league is new for some of us United fans. Even in the days when we were accustomed to winning league titles, the Champions league and FA cup were always sought after with the same vigour. Alright, in his latter years Sir Alex's desire to win the FA cup waned, but he never seemed satisfied with just one trophy per season.

In the early 2000s Man United boasted an inferior crop of players to the ones at Carrington today. I always remember Liam Miller touted as the next Roy Keane, Eric Djemba-Djemba who was supposed to be the greatest box to box midfielder in Europe and of course David Bellion who was lightening fast, but who's pedigree as a footballer was questionable. That rebuilding era which was coupled with the Glazer debt was a tough period for United but we always managed a top 3 finish. I will concede the argument that the league was different then, with other teams not being quite as strong as they are now. Man City, Spurs, and Liverpool and to a lesser extent Everton now make up a core of seven or eight really  tough top opponents. Any one of City, Spurs, or Liverpool have a real chance at winning the title next season. Quite apart from the defending champions, who will still be in next seasons title reckoning. However, my point still stands that in those trying times, Sir Alex stayed true to the ethos of the club. Playing ambitious, flowing football and delighting the Old Trafford faithful wherever possible.

I have seen James Rodriguez, Antoine Griezzman, and just about anyone that might be called an elite level forward linked to United in the summer. Willian, Gareth Bale as well as Cesc Fabregas have also emerged on the radar. None of these players will have any impact on the Man United team if the manager insists on "not losing" as a default position. Jose needs to be infinitely more imaginative when he sets up his side next year. More ambitious.
The summer dealings I'd like to see? I think we can let Young, Rooney, Jones, Lingard, Fellaini, Darmian, and Mata go. We won't be able to let Lingard go as Mourinho has inexplicably put him on a 100k+ weekly wage. So I guess I should forget about that. Everyone else above really should be surplus to requirements. I'm still a massive Wayne Rooney fan, and believe he could offer a bit as an influential squad player, but his weekly wages are much too steep for that. Jones has failed to live up to his promise but could on to be a good player elsewhere. Perhaps Mourinho could look at a swap deal with Burnely for Michael Keane? Bailly and Keane could be quite a decent central defensive pairing.  Who then would I like to see come in? Griezzman, Bale, Keane, and Seamus Coleman.

I'm hopeful that Axel Tuanzebe, Tim Fosu-Mensah, Cameron Borthwick-Jackson and Andreas Pareirra will all kick on and become first team players too. Then, the elephant in the room. David de Gea. I've read some reports that insist there will be no move for him this summer, while conflicting reports claim Madrid will be back again and this time will not allow a dodgy facsimile exchange to keep them from their prize. This is seemingly how the James link has been made. If de Gea does go, then I suppose either Jan Oblak or Michael Heaton will need to come in.

Imagine this then in an attacking formation: de Gea, Valencia, Bailly, Keane, Shaw, Herrera, Pogba, Bale, Mkhitariyan, Rashford, Griezzman. In a 4-4-2, Bale and Rashford providing width, Griezman, and Mikhi banging them in... Pace, power, guile and invention. A Man United team!

Random ramblings of a mad failure

Random ramblings of a failure:

In my 32 almost 33 years of existence (Gosh I got old!) I've learned a couple of things the hard way. One of the most important things I've learned is that I will fail. I will probably fail often. But what I didn't realise until recently is that losing is a part of winning.

I saw one of those infamous sporting quotes on social media a while ago. It read "I've never lost. I either won, or I learned". It was attributed to Kobe Bryant, but I can't say for sure where it emanated. It got stuck in my head though. I thought it was really quite worthwhile to remember. There are other motivational quotes in the same vain such as "a setback is a set up for a comeback" which I also quite enjoy, and try to remember as frequently as possible.

The game of life is fraught with many different challenges. Academia, business, relationships all sorts. I'm pretty comfortable that I'll fail in each and every one! I have failed on countless occasions to woe a potential lover. I have failed more tests than I care to remember and I have more failed attempts at business than any one will ever know. But I have to keep going! I have to learn from each failure, and I have to grow. The more it happens, the easier it seems to get.

When I was in matric, myself, Erin Bothwell, and Dean Hewitt had an (imaginary) band called successful failure. The name stemmed from a quote we'd seen which asked the most pertinent question I've ever come across. It was as follows "if I write a book on failure, and it doesn't sell, is it a success?". I'm yet to find an answer to this question, but it still makes me chuckle.

There are so many cliches about life that all fit succinctly in to this piece but my favourite, and the one it makes most sense to close this off on is this. "It all be fine in the end, if it isn't fine, it isn't the end". Keep failing, keep learning. Keep coming back like the milk man!

Random ramblings of a mad man...

Spending more and more time in Maseru, I'm becoming more accustomed to my surroundings being filled with black faces.


Beautiful black faces! Nubian queens, and ethnic kings! On the odd occasion I might come across a European Union delegate of sorts, or perhaps a PVC operative (is that the right wording?) but in the main, it is people of the same hue as mine.


With this in mind, I suspect my mind has made the default setting  same color couples. Everywhere I go in Maseru I'm confronted by beautiful black couples. Those twitter trends regarding black love must go to Maseru to see it in its infinite splendour.


This past December I was back in Joburg for an extended period. It wasn't odd being back, nor was there any strangeness in seeing more caucasianery. I'll tell you what was odd enough for me to even comment on. Walking through Sandton every second or third couple seemed to be a mixed race couple. Fucking delightful! It was across ages too. Black girl, white boy. Indian lady white gentleman. Asian woman, colored man. I was almost awe struck! Beautiful I thought to myself.
It then struck me that more and more tv advertisements are showing interracial couples doing ordinary mundane things,thus making the phenomenon "normal" I suppose.
I was wondering to myself why this was important to me the other day. And the truth is I'm not sure. Perhaps there's a bit of inferiority complex that suggests that it was nice to see the black bretheren getting recognition from their Caucasian counterparts? Perhaps. Or perhaps there was a bit of me that felt like the walls of apartheid are genuinely falling. People are starting to look beyond colour and the obvious differences and getting to know one another as people. South Africa's finally starting to reach its potential I thought to myself.


I was at Churchill's recently and found that Sandton scenario alive and well there too. Party people of all hues making merry. Is this the South Africa Mandela envisaged I wondered to myself?
My brother says it's not necessarily that interracial relationships are the norm yet. It's his hypothesis that what I saw is a small sample size of society and while it may be becoming more prevalent in that sample size, it really isn't a raging wild fire sweeping across the Republic. He's probably right, he normally is. But even with that I mind I'm still excited to note that more and more people are opening their minds...


Then I remember the shitstorm Siya and Rachel Kolisi faced when they posted their beautiful wedding pics on social media. As i start to get discontented I think to myself " but why should I get bogged down by the negative when there's so much positive going on". So. Carry on dating across the color line urban massive, carry on teaching, inspiring and learning from one another. This country will reach its full potential when you open your hearts and minds to all that's around you!

Random ramblings of a mad man: What's in a name?

The random ramblings of a mad man:

What's in a name?

This piece is inspired by a post I came across and dearly enjoyed on facebook. This post has managed to conjure the requisite amount of nostalgia in me to put some thoughts down. Thank you ntate Kolobe!

I have said before that my favourite thing about South African football is the character thereof. Even when the football is mediocre there are elements that can make the game interesting. I remember watching a dull game between my team (Iwisa-for you nt. Kolobe) Kaizer Chiefs and Jomo Cosmos. I don't remember the result, nor do I remember anything magical in the game save for this brilliant piece of commentary by the legendary Zebulon Zama Masondo. Rudolf "Gardener" Seale was marking Lawrence "Maria Maria" Siyangaphi. The master on the mic told us "wathi Siyangaphi, athi Seale" it was brilliant! ZZ's moment of brilliance means that game is forever etched in my memory.

Then there are the awesome nicknames associated or given to South African players. In my experience the best players are given the best nicknames. The better the nickname, the more likely it is to stick well beyond the players playing days too. I am a loyal Kaizer Chiefs fan for my sins so will easily remember some of my favourites. I was a young boy when I discovered such luminaries as Trevor "Triple K: Kae Kapa Kae" Mthimkhulu. He played alongside "Umunt' angalahlwi" Manyathi in the same team as "DD/Ace" Khuse. Also in that team was my favourite local footballer ever "16V/16Vula Vala" Khumalo and dribbling wizard "Shakes" Khungwane. I have the most vivid memory of screaming "AAAAACE" or " SHAAAAKES" every time either one of them got the ball. Ah, and how could I forget "RHOO" Radebe who went on to become "The Chief" at Elland Road in Yorkshire. Before them there were greats such as "Stuff rider" Mofokeng or "Computer" Lamola. How about 16V's father who was simply called "Pro" Khumalo. The greatest footballer I never got to see is "Ace" Ntsolengoe who's full nickname included the description "mabhekaphansi njengazambane". He played in a team that had another legend in "Teenage" Dladla. I'm told as a combination they were unplayable.

There are some other legends who may not have played for the big two teams. "Jingles" Mosimane who's gone on to become the top local coach in the country and a champions league winner. "Jazzy Queen" Legodi too.

At arch rivals Pirates there were some equally masterful nicknames like "Potsotso" Makhanya, "Sense of knowledge/Sense" Lekwane, "Legs of thunder" Skosana, "Ma Gents" Motale,"Hola Mpinchi" Ntsunda and "Stability Unit" Lane. "Tebza ngoana" inherited his nickname "Chippa" from his old man Percy Moloi. While the "Black Prince" uMatsilela Jomo Sono also merits a mention.

There are some people who's nicknames go on to become their names in daily life. The Free State's first citizen is commonly known as "Ace" Magashule. In fact, hearing somebody refer to an Elias Magashule might elicit such a reaction as "who?!" While in circles not far removed is a legendary big brother of mine known as "Mathaithai" for his ball juggling wizardry in his hey day. I can tell you he's not lost any of his skill, pace or power. He shouldn't be playing Sunday league! Mosiua Lekota is also commonly known as "Terror". His footballing exploits followed him through Robben island and beyond. Even as an MP he remains a Terror!

In rugby Pieter du Randt remains lovingly known as "Os". In fact many will not even know that his name is Pieter. Just as one Wessel Johannes Cronje, our late former cricket captain was Hansie to all and sundry.

These nicknames are so much a part of our history as fans and supporters. They are part of the reason we are sports mad. Let's hope the next generation of "House on fires" and "Go man Gos" will live up to their names.

Random ramblings of a rugby mad man...

Random ramblings of a rugby mad man:

Another extraordinarily long Super rugby season tapers off. I am really not a fan of this competition in this format. Too many weeks of rugby. Some of it really unspectacular. Pretty much any "Aussie derby" is going to be akin to watching paint dry. With the exception of the Western Force of course. They're really quite easy on the eye, and I'm not just saying that because their coached by a former schoolmate of mine. Though his influence on the team is obvious. They're well organised in defense and worry free on attack. Quite a sight to behold. Apart from them, I'm really not charmed by the Aussie teams. They're a big part of the reason why the competition has become tedious for me.

The New Zealand teams, as ever, are a cut above the rest in terms of the spectacle they provide. A little anecdote. When I was a school boy of 16/ 17 we had a very competitive touch rugby game we played on a grass patch in front of our schools parking lot. We called it Mears Park and the only stadium better than it was the glorious Ellis Park. It was a bunch of borders and myself (the honorary boarder) who participated, and I tell you, the rugby on show there was of the highest quality! Anyhow, during these Mears Park games, the weaker team would always be referred to as the Waikato Chiefs. The weaker team being which ever one was losing on the day. The point of my anecdote is to show how far the Chiefs have come along since those heady days of Mears Park! They play some quality rugby and have become a force to be reckoned with. Meanwhile the Crusaders have always been the best team in the competition. From the Reuben Thorne days through to McCaw and now in the Kieran Read era. They play they best rugby and are generally the best bet at the beginning of  a season for that years finalists. But a special word to the Chiefs and the brothers Barrett. In the early 2000s Australian cricket had Michael Hussey who was nicknamed "Mr Cricket". I am of the view that Beauden Barrett should be called "Mr rugby". He is everything that guy! The best pivot in the game bar none in my opinion. The New Zealand team will be virtually unstoppable with him at "first five".

Then, there is the South African teams. When you see the local franchises compete, you understand fully why the Springboks are languishing in seventh position in the world rugby log. The majority of South African teams are a sight for sore eyes. In fact, aside from the Lions, and at times the Stormers, the other teams may as well be playing in the Supersport league. The Bulls have been dreadful, while the Sharks came unstuck against what is an improving Kings team. I actually, think that the Kings have been the only other shining light in SA rugby this year. Bits and pieces of their play have been nothing short of stellar. Expansive, creative just lovely on the eye. I suppose the way the Cheetahs of old competed. That "we have nothing to lose" approach to the game.
The Lions. The mighty Lions of Gauteng have been a breath of fresh air! They have proven once and for all that South African players have extraordinary skills sets. Those of us who've watched any school boy rugby, be it schools first teams or Craven week will be aware of the ability of the players at that age. That doesn't merely disappear if coached properly as Varsity rugby has shown. So the Lions now have this strong side that in truth isn't based on any star player but rather a collective belief, and effort. When I was a young player learning the game my coach used to tell me, trust the next defender. If you make your tackle, he will too. That's the kind of belief the Lions have in the camp. Everybody trusts and believes in the next man. Not that they'll make their tackle for them, but rather that they'll all make the tackles they have to make.

If Siya Kolisi isn't made captain of the Springbok team, then Warren Whiteley must have a good shout. And if Allister Coetzee doesn't pick the bulk of the Lions team, including Courtnall Skosan, then our Boks are surely on a hiding to nothing this year.

Random rambling of a now long suffering United fan:
United under Jose Mourinho, are unfortunately a shadow of their former selves. It's an over coached, under performing lot of individuals. There's no identity to the team, and certainly no rhythm or fluency.
There's a school of thought that suggests our players aren't good enough, of course that's not entirely true. Today's starting eleven wasn't all that bad. Although, why Bailly, who's been our best defender was asked to play outside of his best position was beyond me. Anyhow, that eleven could actually have troubled Spurs. Mata, Martial and Rooney have the potential to trouble any side on their best days. (Some will argue Rooneys best days are behind him, perhaps true) Be that as it may, were that team set out to play a decent attacking brand of football we might actually have had a chance. Instead, we seemed to try soak up the pressure before going for it. That strategy was overtaken by events in that we conceded in the fifth minute, but that was the same idea Jose's team had against an average City team, and a not great Arsenal side. Jose clearly doesn't believe in the squad, and so the squad doesn't believe in its self.

There have been points in the season where the team have played well. More often than not Pogba, Herrera and Ibrahimovic have been playing when that's happened. Jose believes definitively in all three. Were I not a United fan, I'd find it comical how much he believes in that axis. It might be argued that he's overplayed them and that's ultimately led to (some) of their injuries and niggles at this late stage of the season. United will play 64 games this season. That's a lot of football.

Watching Moyes, Van Gaal and now Mourinho fail to live up to the high standards set by Sir Alex has been the biggest adjustment to the post Ferguson era. As football fans we live in hope. When Moyes takes over, we hope he'll be like Ferguson at Aberdeen, pioneering and maverick. He fails to live up to the expectation. Then when Van Gaal steps in, we hope that he'll be like Ferguson in the premier league area, a big personality able to manage big personalities and guide them to big wins, and fairly creative play. It never happens, and in fact his shortcomings are highlighted by his failure to hold on to Angel di Maria. Then salvation lands in the form of Jose Mourinho. Some among us cannot wait for a top 4 finish and a trophy, and indeed Mourinho promises as much with his words. The execution leaves a lot to be desired as tepid, timid home draw after home draw become the norm at Old Trafford. There is no imagination in the way United plays and to highlight that Jose consistently picks Felliani ahead of world cup winner Bastian Schweinsteiger. Mourinho's de facto position remains "let's not lose" rather than "let's go win". Eventually hope begins to diminish, replaced by a yearning for the jovial nostalgia of days gone by.

Pundits and scribes will opine about Jose's perceived inability to ascend to the heights he once claimed. There will be plenty said about him leaving Chelsea languishing in 13th position before being summarily dismissed by the Roman revolution. These factors will all gather momentum in the pending weeks. Uniteds whole season will be judged on one night in Stockholm. Should they win, there'll be brief reprieve for a Jose who will emerge bullish and unapologetic. Lose, and the aforementioned factors will be used through out the English summer to flog Mourinho, United and the entire post Fergie era.

If it's true that United will spend another huge sum of money this off season, and I'm sure it is then it begs the question "what will happen differently next season"?

Random ramblings of a mad man: Men are trash...

This men are trash movement or rhetoric has been on my timeline for the last two or three months. I've been monitoring it to some degree and trying to decide how it made me feel. Then it struck me that it doesn't matter how I feel. It's not about me. The words it seemed to me were an expression, women on my timeline were using to voice their strong opinions on the insane violence perpetrated against women.
I saw men belittle the words, and then I saw them belittle the people saying the words. Not too long thereafter, I saw men take an active stand against those who belittled the words and the women. I saw what I thought was empathy from men, and a genuine desire from some to hear what exactly is being said about the male of the species. I thought to myself, this looks like positive active citizenry.

I have been active on social media for a little bit now, and have seen it work quite nicely on occasion with regard to social issues. It has raised a decent sum of money for ALS with the ice bucket challenge, it has essentially begun the Arab spring, or at the very least highlighted it, and has also served very well in helping find missing people. Very often a "RT to help find this missing person" occurs on my timeline. To suggest that it has brought about wholesale social, or socioeconomic changes for the better would be ridiculous. But it hasn't been nothing. When coupled with an active citizenry prepared to carry out their tweets and hashtags in real life, it is a powerful tool. Incidentally, I also happen to believe just having an outlet where in one can voice concerns and perhaps drum up a critical mass of dialogue is a cool element of social media. But I do agree that it's most helpful when it translates to practical solutions. I don't believe the two are mutually exclusive.

The events of the last week have been tragic to say the least. The brutal murder of a young girl by her boyfriend, has shocked and saddened a whole host of us. It has cast a dark shadow over men in the republic in my opinion, and many of us have been reflective over the period. The "men are trash" slogan has emerged strongest out of all of the hurt and despair I assume women on social media are feeling. It has led me to believe wholly that it is indeed true. I have done some introspection and seen how regularly my misogyny and patriarchy rear their ugly heads. I have been reflective and admonished myself for the amount of times I have done nothing about them, instead, choosing to mansplain (as it were) to myself and perhaps those around me, why the situation was so.

The first time I came across this hashtag on twitter, perhaps February this year I tweeted "ya'll are going to end up raising men who are trash, because of this. A self fulfilling prophecy". It strikes me though that many of us are trash already, even if it isn't through our individual acts, but through the hegemony that we are part of, and continue to support.

I pledged in a conversation this morning to actively do my part to root out the scourge of patriarchy and misogyny. It may have seemed like just words, but I really meant them. I will do my level best to act as a change agent for the situation at hand. More reading, more learning, and better listening are all going to be the results of the men are trash hashtag for me. Let's hope it begins to permeate the society, and has a positive social impact on every little grouping and sub-grouping of humans in the republic and across the globe ultimately.

Random ramblings of a mad man...Basotho Heart, and dem...

#BasothoHeart #ShowDemHeart
I now well and truly believe that starting ones own business is half the battle. The other half which is fraught with all manner of minefields is keeping the business afloat and relevant!
Our little gingerbeer producing company is not only trudging along, it's moving! It's growth trajectory is proper. It really feels as though we're on the cusp of something great here. But I would say that wouldn't I?
Every single day, almost literally, we're running in to a new competitor. Every single day we're discovering some other company that has commodified chinchbiri. It's fascinating. Some are ahead of us in the journey, some are behind us. It's clearly going to be a very competitive space soon. Innovation is going to be key. If you aren't moving, you are dying. I have to say, that prospect is exhilarating! Trying to stay ahead of the game sounds so cliche'd but it's the name of the game right now.

We go through ups and downs as a business, but every day the sun comes out, and we give it another bash. As ever the ladies of Basotho Heart continue to do the absolute most in driving this business forward by any means possible. The sacrifices made are untold. Huge sacrifices that will bear fruit, no doubt! We've added two interns to our little business, and they seem to be learning and enjoying the experience. Lord knows we're leaning too, so it's great to be going on this journey with them.
On workers day I opined that I hope in the not too distant future our growth will lead to employment opportunities for young people. When this business fulfills its promise I have no doubt it will present opportunities for skilled and semi skilled labour. I can't wait for that!
Till then, be on the lookout for your favourite premium craft gingerbeer at Foghound Cafe in Midrand. Jacksons real food market in Bryanston. Craft beer library in Linden. Pata Pata lounge in the Maboneng district. Axcinia restaurant and Ouh la la in Maseru. Otherwise catch us online at www.basothoheart.com or basothoheart@gmail.com
"It's a taste of home" in your life...