Everyone knows the story of how the legendary Jomo Sono ‘abandoned’ his wedding at the Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Orlando to go help his side Orlando Pirates win an important soccer match at Rand Stadium. This was late ’70s, and if this was not loyalty, sacrifice and passion in overdrive, then we don’t know what is. Well, Puleng Marema’s dedicated service to Polokwane City, a club he has served for so many years, may not come close in terms of legendary status, but it is a story worth telling, nonetheless. For, on the back of losing his mother, who was his pillar of strength, he had to find the willpower to carry on. Not to mention having to receive the tragic news of his uncle’s passing on the eve of a key encounter for the Limpopo-based side, as they were chasing promotion last season. Still, the ball had to continue rolling, and fortunately, in his honour, the striker helped the side to the land of milk and honey, Mzansi’s topflight. It has been a fulfilling soccer career laced with the pain of loss, and in this interview, an emotional Marema opens up about it all to Soccer Laduma’s Masebe Qina. Readers, get the tissues out, this one is not for the faint at heart.
Masebe Qina: Puzaza, my outhi, why did we have to delay sitting for this interview, as you had to rush to the High Court soon after training?
Puleng Marema: Oh, about that, grootman yam (big man), my brother and I had to rush there to get some documents as part of the ongoing process of claiming our late parents’ monies from an insurance company. Angithi bashonile abazali (Both our parents are no more), and there’s a Letter of Authority that we needed to obtain from the High Court for the process to be completed.
