Tefu thanks Mathoho with R100 000

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - AUGUST 30: Tefu Mashamiate and Eric Mathoho of Kaizer Chiefs during the Absa Premiership match between Kaizer Chiefs and SuperSport United at FNB Stadium on August 30, 2014 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images)

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - AUGUST 30: Tefu Mashamiate and Eric Mathoho of Kaizer Chiefs during the Absa Premiership match between Kaizer Chiefs and SuperSport United at FNB Stadium on August 30, 2014 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images)

Published May 22, 2015

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Durban - In an unusual display of team spirit and generosity, Kaizer Chiefs star Tefu Mashamaite has donated a R100 000 prize to his central defence partner Eric “Tower” Mathoho.

From the many accolades he received at the club’s awards ceremony in Midrand, Mashamaite, 30, who has also appeared for Bafana Bafana, announced he would give his Player of the Season award and prize money to Mathoho, 25.

Mashamaite was Kaizer Chiefs’ Player of the Season, Fans’ Player of the Season and Player of the Month for February and May. On Sunday he scooped three PSL awards: Footballer of the Season, Players’ Player of the Season, and Defender of the Season.

Mashamaite said his gesture was to show that his excellence depended on the whole team.

“I acknowledge the role that my teammates played in contributing to this individual success. I am grateful I got all the awards that I got,” he said.

The bedrock of Kaizer Chiefs’ league success this season, the duo are better known as Twin Towers. Mashamaite said giving the money away was an instant decision.

“I just thought it would be better to give Tower something to cheer himself about because he has really worked hard.

“I could have easily given it to anyone in the team because no one is better than the other, but I chose Tower because he has been my partner, he is the guy that I play next to,” he said.

Kaizer Chiefs spokesman Vina Maphosa said they noted “Masha’s” gesture with excitement.

“We just love the type of players we groom at Kaizer Chiefs. I think it is from the bottom of his heart. It did not come as a surprise,” he said.

Mashamaite said he came from a background where sharing with other people was a way of life.

“If you can share a load (troubles) with people next you, you also need to share your glory. We work as a team and I think we should celebrate as a team,” he said.

Mashamaite said professionals in any field of work had to understand that they were needed in society.

“Everyone needs to know that as citizens we have responsibilities in society. A person is not the profession, but they are human and belong to society.

“As footballers, we should not just focus on what happens on the field. We get watched and followed by a whole mass of people and if we can just take a human approach to try to advance lives of other people, we can be a better society.”

The holder of a BA in international relations and politics from Wits University said apart from playing football, he was a bookworm and read “anything, from fiction to biographies”. He was also a keen fisherman.

“I am more interested in what is happening in life, more than just football. I have to try to master all aspects of life and that is what I strive for. Maybe it’s my background, the values my family imposed when I was growing up,” he said.

The father of two, Phetolo, 4, and Amali, 2, said he enjoyed the company of his teammates.

The Mercury

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