From left: Boyzzz Khumalo, Tendai Jirira, Peter Alegi, Tumi Moshobane, Lesedi Mosielele
The second episode of the Umhlaba Podcast, a program about sports and education in Africa and America, has been released! [Click here for free download.]
In this episode, Umhlaba Vision Foundation founder Boyzzz Khumalo and I conduct a wide-ranging interview with South African midfielder Tumi Moshobane of Lansing Ignite and Zimbabwean defender Tendai Jirira of Detroit City FC.
The young men shed light on growing up playing soccer in youth academies and school teams in South Africa and Zimbabwe and tell us about their experiences pursuing professional soccer careers in the United States.
The conversation highlights the crucial role of education in ensuring long-term success as well as the value of healthy lifestyles, personal discipline, and giving back to the community by helping disadvantaged boys and girls have better opportunities in sports and education.
Aspiring South African coach Lesedi Mosielele joins the discussion towards the end, and eloquently states that Moshobane and Jirira are inspirational role models for many Africans dreaming of overseas success, on and off the pitch.