Although Wits University has not got their Varsity Football season going the way they may have planned on the pitch, off it has been a completely different story. The vibrance and electric atmosphere has never stopped on the Wits stands, with supporters from all walks of life flocking the iconic football arena to spur on the Educated Footballers.
Bongani Lushaba, who is better known to Wits supporters as ‘Mr Party Time’ is the man in the suit, who is in charge of the mic, entertaining the crowd with his slick dance moves that captivate the crowd and get them going. He so often has plenty of giveaways as well, for those willing to participate in various Varsity Football activations.
‘Mr Party Time’ who was also a semi-professional footballer in the SAB League, unfortunately, saw his football career come to an end in 2017, when he broke his ankle. He then took to a career in stadium announcement, where he currently entertains crowds at Wits Varsity Cup and Varsity Football games.
Varsity Football caught up with Mr Party Time, who took the time out this week to just explain what it takes to entertain big crowds at stadiums and what his role particularly entails at games.
Varsity Football: What are your thoughts on Varsity Football and what impact do you feel Varsity Football has on people working in it but not necessarily on the pitch like yourself
Bongani Lushaba: Varsity Football has paved a way for all its participants in professional sports. From the script readers to the floor runners.
Varsity Football: How did you get into being an MC at games?
Lushaba: I initially started my career as a script reader for another MC and that’s when I learned what goes into running a good production.
Varsity Football: What does an MC’s job entail on Varsity Football game days?
Lushaba: The job of a stadium announcer is to educate; inform and entertain the masses and this means preparation behind the scenes, from the playlist to the wording during half-time, each person’s role is important for a ‘smooth sail’ throughout the show.
Varsity Football: What impact do you hope your job brings to the supporters and players on the field
Lushaba: I hope this culture grows further than what it’s become for sporting fans in South Africa, COVID-19 was a perfect example of the effect the fans have on players.
Varsity Football: What are your other interests that people may not know of
Lushaba: I have a newfound love for Mountain Biking and Golf and I’ve been spending a lot of my spare time being active in that regard. Although I am a DJ, amongst other things, so I also have a profound love for music.
Varsity Football: What do you seek to achieve with what you’re currently doing?
Lushaba: I think I’ve achieved quite a lot in the last four years and with that comes [personal] development and bettering my skills and I think it’s time I elevate it to the next level, and you never know maybe I might be still coming to the stadium but maybe in another role.
Varsity Football: How would you advise someone with no experience, and who wanted to become an MC?
Lushaba: To anyone who sees themselves in becoming an MC I would say that it’s okay to fail because you learn more in your failures than you do in doing great. So don’t be afraid to volunteer and shadow as much as you can. Nothing can better prepare you than experience.
Wits have a trip to Xerox Shimla Park this week, where they will face UFS Kovsies, while you can see Mr Party Time in action again next week when the Educated Footballers will host Tuks at the Wits Stadium in their final home match of the 2022 Varsity Football edition.
You can get information on how to get tickets here.
By S’fiso Nyawo
