Mom speaks on Shalulile upbringing

By Michael Uugwanga

IT is no secret that Peter Shalulile is undoubtedly one of the continent’s leading marksmen, following a successful campaign for former club Highlands Park in the Absa Premiership in South Africa after scoring 16 league goals to finish the season as joint top goal-scorer with Orlando Pirates striker and Malawian international Gabadinho Mhango.

His goal tally at Highlands Park is down to his hardwork, dedication, discipline and commitment.

Shalulile who currently plays football for reigning champions of the league in a new look DSTV Premiership, was terrorising defenders week in, week out which prompted Mamelodi Sundowns, owned by one of Africa’s richest men Dr Patrice Motsepe, to sign him up.

The former Tura Magic Football Club player was discovered by Timo Tjongarero who was then coach of Magic.

Shalulile has so far scored one goal for new club Sundowns over the past weekend in a 3-0 win against Kaizer Chiefs on the opening day of the new DSTV Premiership season.

Confidente Sports Desk this week paid a visit to Shalulile’s mother Menete ‘Neepo’ Shalulile in Golgotha, Windhoek, where the footballer grew up in order to find out exactly who Peter is.

Shalulile (27) has three siblings and they were all raised in the same household.

His mother now based in the northern part of the country together with his father Jonas, said she is still surprised by the way her son has managed to make it in football saying that Shalulile enjoyed hockey whilst still a learner at People’s Primary School in Katutura and during his early secondary days at Jan Jonker Afrikaner Secondary School also in Katutura.

“When Peter was still young he was very quiet, disciplined, never used to reply back and was playful.

He has always had a good heart. When he was at PPS he used to like hockey a lot and only started to play football seriously when he was in grade 9 or 10.  He used to like watching sport and he used to take ownership of the TV remote control to watch sport. When he was still in school I wanted him to become a pilot, mechanic or something else, (sic)” recalls Menete.

Menete also said that Peter always informs her about his upcoming matches in order for her to watch him play, although she now spends most of her time in the North and hardly gets time to watch her son play.

Menete, who never considered herself a football fan, added that she is now a big fan of Sundowns although she was a fan of Highlands Park during the happy days her son spent at that club.

Shalulile was with Highlands Park from 2015 until end of last season before Highlands Park sold its league status to TS Galaxy due to financial constraints.

Menete said she often advises her son to invest properly and avoid unnecessary spending.

Shalulile’s sister Hilya said that her brother would always kick a ball around.

“He would go out and kick the ball with his new shoes,” said Hilya.

Peter’s long-time friend Diego Shikemeni also described him as down to earth and a “true son of the soil”.

“Peter does not drink alcohol at all as he is not into entertainment. Peter will have N$1 000 … what he will do is to give his parents at least N$200 from that money while the rest of the money he will lay-buy something he wants (sic). We do communicate almost every day and he talks mostly about investment,” said Shikemeni.