Mamelodi Sundowns co-head coach Rulani Mokwena hopes that in the future we will see more young leaders, not just in football, but in broader society.
Speaking with Thabiso Mosia on SAFM, Mokwena says that football is often a microscopic reflection on society.
He says that it’s not just football that doesn’t give young people leadership roles, and perhaps when that changes in the broader picture, it will also happen in football.
“It’s not just about football, it’s a very broad question, a question that hits me quite deeply at times, because I will say that football is a microscopic reflection of society,” Mokwena told Sport On on SAFM.
“And before football answers that question, maybe society must answer that question.
“And to answer that question, we then look at the climate of leadership, in different spheres, in society, in politics, in business, big companies, and you got to see how many young people are put into positions of leadership.
“So ja, it’s not just about football, but it really, really goes beyond that scope. And unfortunately, we still are not in that space where as a country we are open to allowing young people and the creativity needed, now with anticipation of the third industrial revolution, the advancement of technology and the like, it really does speak to produce, and in these leadership positions, to be able to expand and make sure that we are also within the same space as the rest of the world.
“But ja, it’s not about complaining. It’s also about making sure that when we are given these opportunities and these position that are a huge responsibility, if we roll up our sleeves and deliver because we know that it isn’t just about us, but about even the next generation and the next generation. And that’s where we are.”