In this edition of Negotiating Behind The Scenes, Jimmy Kauleza reveals sumptuous details of how Bobby Motaung tried to convince him to snub Orlando Pirates for a move to Kaizer Chiefs.
Those days, both Soweto giants were known to frequently wrestle for the best talent available, with tugs-of-war not an uncommon occurrence. The Siphelele Mthembu story is a case in point.
Who did you sign for?
"I signed with Pirates in 2002. If you remember very well the PSL had 18 teams back then. My team Free State Stars and Ria Stars were paid to leave the League, and the teams were reduced to 16. They accepted the PSL offer."
How did you find out?
"We were in training when the late Free State Stars chairman Bra Mike Mokoena showed up at training. He informed us he had sold the club. The late Pirates official, Bra Phil Setshedi, was there in our training watching everything from a distance.
"Then Mr. Mokoena said to us, 'Jimmy, Goodman Mazibuko, Hleza Mofedi and Michel Babale, Bra Phil is here to see you guys. Orlando Pirates want to sign all four of you.' I was surprised.
"Same day, while on our way to Jo'burg with Bra Phil, I received a call from Bobby Motaung. He told me not to sign with Pirates as they were looking to sign me and David Radebe. He said, 'Hey bro, get out of that car, we will come and fetch you. Don't sign with Pirates, they are hijacking our deal.
"Bra Phil asked me, 'Who are you talking to now? Is it Bobby' [Laughs] I didn't know what to tell him."
Where did you meet?
"In Johannesburg, Parktown. While I was there waiting for my turn to negotiate, I received another call from Bobby [laughs]. 'My brother, please don't sign,' he told me."
Who was there?
"It was the chairman Irvine Khoza, Zodwa Khoza and this other white guy who used to be responsible for finances at Pirates. That time I don't even have an agent. One by one, we went in. Only Babale had an agent because Mike Makaab was there. I was the last person to go in.
"I refused to sign. The money they were offering was too little. I left Mr. Khoza and Zodwa there and left. I was upset. Mike Makaab, who was not even my agent, tried to convince me to sign, but I refused.
"Then Bra Phil calmed me down and asked me to go and sleep at his house. While sleeping at Bra Phil's house, I received another call from Bobby. He asked if I had signed and I said no, I couldn't do it because of what Pirates were offering. Then Bobsteak said, 'Yeah you did the right thing, don't sign [laughs].
"The following day, Bra Phil took me back to Qwa-Qwa, where I was staying.
"I waited for Bobby, and there was no word from him. On the weekend, I think it was on Saturday when Bra Phil came to see me again, still in possession of the Pirates contract. This time, he was with his wife. I ended up signing anyway because Bobby was now quiet. There was no word from him. David Radebe had already signed for Chiefs."
What surprised you?
"The little money Pirates offered me."
Did you get what you wanted?
"The salary was too little, even though I ended up signing anyway. But my signing-on fee was better though because it was R950 000."
Did you see out your contract?
"Yes, I did. I stayed all the three years I had signed for."
What you would change?
"The salary."