Six years after hanging up his Cape City Metropolis boots in 2019, soccer legend Teko Modise has reclaimed his mojo.
Today, the 42-year-old, whose membership profession consists of taking part in for Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns, is not energised by pleasing demanding coaches, coping with adoring followers, or securing profitable contracts.
Modise has discovered post-retirement success in vogue, broadcasting, and the boardroom. Fashion, particularly, has given him the liberty to specific himself and he reveals that he’s within the “superior phases” of an thrilling clothes enterprise with African Style Worldwide (AFI).
However, in an effort to make such a transition, Modise agrees that there needed to be introspection and alter — he wanted to decrease his defences.
“Individuals suppose I’m boastful, however possibly that has modified through the years. I needed to work arduous to take away that tag,” he says. “I wanted to eliminate the wall. I constructed such a excessive wall and was very protecting of my identify. However [this] was additionally as a result of I used to be insecure primarily based on how the media portrayed me.”
Admittedly, it’s not his favorite matter, however Modise skilled horrible childhood trauma. Born in Meadowlands, Soweto, his father kicked him out when he was eight. Describing himself as a “avenue child”, he would find yourself transferring round quite a bit, which he hated.
“Many individuals, in the event that they have been to undergo what I went by, would haven’t survived. I wasn’t presupposed to make it. At each family I stayed I used to be chased out, till the final home, once I was scouted,” he remembers. “Soccer saved my life. I’m grateful to be right here as a result of I fought and labored arduous to search out myself in higher areas in order that my youngsters wouldn’t need to style even a little bit of what I went by.”
