Keep a balance between arrogance and confidence.

Rorisang Ronald Rapelang born in Kuruman, Northern Cape, however, raised in Vryburg Huhudi location. He began his pre-school at Moremogolo, later went to Moeti primary school then changed to Pelokgale primary school while staying in Orkney. Rorisang moved back to Vryburg after the passing of his mother and enrolled at John Frylinck intermediate school and then matriculated at Pule Leeuw Secondary school. He obtained both his National Diploma and BTech in Officiating and Coaching Science at Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) and is currently enrolled for his MTech in Kinesiology and Coaching Science.

Rapelang said that he started playing football at the age of 5, however his big brothers were a huge influence in his football journey, "they used to take me to go play with them whenever they went to play street football as young as I was. When I heard stories of how good my father was that encouraged me even more to play, so when I was in grade 2, that's when I started playing organised football. I joined Yamampela FC, then I had to change teams when we relocated to Orkney. I joined Orkney Red lions upon arrival, I formed part of the squad that won the Scorpion cup and when we moved back to Vryburg i joined Dedeke United and later to Mexican FC which was the feeder team for Left and Right in which I got promoted and played 2 seasons. While playing for Mexican FC, I got to represent North West under 15 and Under 21 teams and all of this was before I reached the age of 16. When I was 16 going on 17, I joined SAFA 2nd division side Keleku FC where a man called Cosmos kunene saw and recommended me to TUT" he said.

Rorisang joined TUT FC in 2015 to date, and in the past 5 years he's been with the team, he's won 2 gold Varsity Football Medals, reached finals of the Varsity Football Tournament for 5 consecutive years, won the USSA Gauteng and won 2 USSA national championship, got 1 FASU silver medal, won the Maimane phiri games for Baroka FC, qualifed for the Nerbank cup last 32 and got scouted to join the Mamelodi Sundows reserves.

As he is enrolled for a Master's degree, Rorisang was asked how he best balances his academic and football life, he replied to say. “I literally don't have a social life which affords me a lot of time to work on my game and school work. If I am not on the field or library, I am with my girlfriend who always pushes me to study all the time so that my school work is covered even when I am with her. The balance boils down to the kind of life an individual enjoys.”

Rorisang has been playing for TUT for the past 5 years, he said that playing for the Red machines has taught him that loyalty will not always be reciprocated in kind and it’s important to keep a balance between arrogance and confidence.

During the 2019 Varsity Football Tournament, Rapelang was leading his team as Captain, unfortunately TUT was unable to keep the trophy for the second year running. When asked if should his team be given another chance to play against NWU what would they do differently, his response was, “we lost that game during preparation the only thing I would change is how we trained that week, but one other thing I would change is to respect the opponent more and not let past success get to my head."

Rorisang had an opportunity to go to Italy for the USSA games, he shares his experience with us, "playing in the world student games came with great experience, I was the vice captain and I got to be captain in 2 games which for me was a great learning experience. I learnt that football games are lost in moments, and that how you carry yourself off the field influences your attitude on the field and I learnt a lot about game management."

Throughout all his achievements Rorisang has proven that working hard really pays off, when asked where did he adopt his attitude, he went on to say, "I have worked with a lot of different coaches in my life, but I can proudly say I am Ronald Masisi's product while most of the coaches focused on improving the football techniques and all, he focused on building the human being first which shaped the man that I am today. I have never been a person to do something half heartedly, so it’s either I do it or not at all. Besides, I learnt quite early that to be consistent, one needs to work hard on his game and I hate coming second best, that is what drives me to always fight to be on top of my game. Also, the card that life has dealt me never really allowed me to slack off while growing up, it's either I worked hard or starved and that attitude I carry onto the field daily."

Rapelang said that if given an opportunity to pick any PSL team, which one would it be, he replied to say, "I would choose Bloemfontein Celtics - firstly because of their fans and secondly because they are a team with an identity. Whatever I would achieve there would to some extent immortalize my family name in the hearts of the people of BFN.”

In closing, he left a note to self and said, "you are here now, reward yourself by doing well for having put up with all that you have done to get here.”

Editor : Nomvula Kgoale