Varsity Sports caught up with Wits’ young talented midfielder, Saluleko Mathonsi, who yesterday began his second Varsity Football tournament with a goal that sadly was not enough to see Wits grab the victory away at TUT. Mathonsi also scored the goal last season that saw the Witsies head into the semifinals.
It’s not just this young man’s footballing talent that has captured Varsity Football fans’ attention; he is still at the tender age of 17 and already in his third year of studying an LLB. Many at his age are still only dreaming about matriculating, whilst Mathonsi is already preparing for the working world, whether that ends up being a career in law or a career as a professional footballer is up to him.
Saluleko Mathonsi is originally from a small town in Mpumalanga called Phapabatholi, where he started playing football at a very young age, with friends that were always older than him. According to Mathonsi playing with older guys helped instill his love for soccer from a very young age.
Mathonsi made his Varsity Football debut last season at the age of 16 and has now just recently turned 17 years old. So how did he manage to get into Wits University at such a young age?
“Growing up, some people used to call me the special kid,” said Mathonsi, “Especially in primary school. I was actually made to jump a few classes in primary school, so I ended up matriculating at the age of 14. I was then able to apply to Wits, where I got accepted. This year I’m doing my third year in the LLB programme.”
Mathonsi then had to adapt quickly to university life at a very young age. But the young man seems to have little problem coping with the jump to university academics.
“See, it is very hard to change from something that was simple to something more difficult,” he said, “because varsity is something different and the lifestyle here is something that is challenging. I wouldn’t say it’s that hard, but it definitely requires me to put in the extra effort in order to be successful.”
With this 2016 season, being Mathonsi’s second Varsity Football campaign at such a young age, many would be wondering how he has managed to get through it all last season, particularly with the age difference between him and his teammates. Not Mathonsi.
“Last season was one of the best tournaments I’ve ever played in my life,” said the Wits forward. “I was just fortunate to have senior teammates that welcomed me very well and helped me settle in very quickly.”
Saluleko Mathonsi is definitely a player to look out for this season and in future, whether it be on the field or in the court room.
Wits next face 2015 Varsity Football champions UWC at the Bidvest Stadium in Johannesburg on 25 July.
By Sifiso Nyawo
