The Iron Lady

 As we celebrate women’s month and continue to celebrate the 50^th anniversary of the Tshwane giants, we decide to hit two birds with one stone by getting in touch with The Iron lady. The woman who contributed a lot in laying the foundation that the South African football powerhouse is standing on and a woman who has achieved it all in the football fraternity and made her mark. Kgothatso “KG” Malepe goes through the conversation with Mrs Anastasia “Natasha” Tsichlas.

 Kgothatso- How did you get involved in football?

Natasha- I grew up in a football family and got married to a football man.

Kgothatso- Back in the day when you took over as Managing director at Mamelodi Sundowns, women did not really have a solidified place in football, especially management. How did you cope with the transition and were you getting your well-deserved respect from your male counterparts?

Natasha- Because I come from a football family, I had a very good foundation, Angelo have always been involved in football, even at amateur level and I was close to him. So, I was not afraid at all and I have done some PR work for Swallows when my husband was coaching it, I was not new in the field.

 

 Kgothatso- Was it a long-term plan to take over Mamelodi Sundowns? It was recently after the club went into liquidation, were you not fearful of competing with the Soweto Giants (Swallows, Chiefs and pirates) given the financial state of the club?

Natasha- When Standard bank wanted to sell Sundowns players and liquify the club, we (Natasha and Angelo) spoke to the bank, together with Mario Tuani, we persuaded the bank not to sell the club. The club was bought by a pharmaceutical company with the understanding that we must run the club. The head of the company soon wanted to sell the club; we knew we had to save the club because it was going to be dissolved. My family (Tsichlas family) and the Abie Krok bought the club because of the love we had for the club and for the game. It was our club; we could not let it dissolve.

Kgothatso- What are your thoughts on retaining the history and heritage of the club when changing ownership?

Natasha- We got close to Patrice because we could see how him and his family love Sundowns, Krok was getting old and he wanted to move on. We saw something in Patrice, he had the same hunger we had when we wanted to buy Sundowns and make it a top team. He is brilliant, not only in business but also when it comes to communication, especially with the players. We had the club together for about a year, and Patrice had bigger dreams for Sundowns, and you cannot stop someone who wants what is the best for club. We could not cope with the expenditure anymore as well, Patrice had bigger plans that needed larger finances, we wanted to leave Sundowns in good hands, so with Patrice we knew we were leaving the club with someone who will continue its legacy, we understood the love him and his family had for football and Sundowns.

 Kgothatso- Did you ever think of changing the name “Sundowns” or relocating the club?

Natasha- We cannot change the name, it is a legacy, it is a club that someone started. Supporters believe in the name, so it never crossed my mind, not even for a second. We never even discussed changing the name of the club. We got a sponsorship in Port Elizabeth and they offered us 20 million to move the club to PE, that is a lot of money but we turned the offer down because the club belongs to the people in Tshwane (Ga Rankuwa, Soshanguve, Mamelodi, you name them). The base of the club was in Tshwane, where you find the diamond, you keep it there.

 

 Kgothatso- What were the worst and best decisions you made as Sundowns Management?

·        Natasha- we always wanted to keep the team on top, when we came on board, we realized that we had to compete with the best to be the best, at that time there was Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates were dominating. We always worked on how to improve and maintain professionalism at all times. People worked hard, because you cannot just go there, take your salary and leave. Family is not only by blood, but you also create family within the club. We worked with Maria, Peter koutroulis, Henry Makoka, Tina (Still with the club), Freddy Zungu (still with the club) and the others. Is always good to work with people that you know you can trust, we also had wonderful supporters, I can never forget Sundowns supporters, they sang and still sing with so much passion, when the team was losing my heart would bleed first because of the supporters, they leave everything, spend their hard-earned money to come and support the team and we let them down. Sundowns supporters are the number one player in the team, that is my slogan.

We were the first club among the top clubs to establish a ladies’ team, followed by Bloemfontein Celtics. The likes of Anna Monate played a huge role and was very dedicated when it comes to the ladies team.

You know we all make mistakes, there is no specific worst decision that I can recall, sometimes you make a mistake of trusting people that do not deserve your trust and you only realize after years.

 

Kgothatso - Sundowns won their first NSL league trophy a year after your appointment, what is it that you and your management team did differently?

Natasha- Angelo was the coach, we knew how to motivate the players and teach them accountability. I am also a social worker, that helps a lot in communication, especially with the players, they used to call me ‘Ma’. In me they had someone to take care of them and also discipline them. I would them that if I give you 100% salary, I also expect 100% from you in the field. You have to communicate with the players and motivate them, players are like a child, you cannot make promises to them that you cannot keep. So, if you want to have a good winning team then is significant that you build a good relationship with the players. We had crème de la crème of football both from local and international, just to mention a few; Fire Masilela, Bennet Mnguni, Daniel Mudau who came as a youngster, Ewie Kambule,, lovers Mohlala, Raphael Chuku,  Rodger Feutumba (laughs with excitement when being told that Feutumba was featured on the first edition of The Yellow Nation Magazine and goes on to ask if Rodger told us how he came to Sundowns. Surprisingly Mrs Tsichlas still remembers the Jersey number 6 that Feutumba was wearing the day he caught her eye). When we won the trophy, we took the trophy to Zola Mahobe where he was, he was so happy to see what we did with the club.

Kgothatso- In the early 90s you bought shares in the club, Sundowns started being a forced to be reckoned with and went on to swim with the big sharks in the 1994 African cup of champions clubs, what was it like going to participate in the continental competition for the first time, how did you prepare for it?

Natasha- February 1990 Angelo and Abie bought the club. We were very excited that we will be part of the African cup of champions and we were the first team to take part in South Africa. Everyone was excited, even in the township in Tshwane. In regard to preparations, we tried to learn how other teams are doing from a technical point of view, Angelo and Peter would travel to check on them

 

 Kgothatso- The team made it to the second round of the competition, after being knocked out, did you feel the need to reinforce your team by signing new players? Seeing the formidable teams, you were up against in the champions cup?

Natasha- One thing we always believed in with Angelo is that you do not change your team too much, 2 to 3 players is fine but not more than that. When you have a good winning team, you make them bond. We signed good players and allowed them a chance to bond together.

 

Kgothatso- Would you say it was lack of experience that saw you exiting the competition early, if so, just how important is experience in football competitions?

Natasha- No, it was not lack of experience at all, it was mostly because of unfair decisions from the referees. Most of the time I would write to CAF and tell what was happening is unfair. Some teams had more advantage than the others. As much as they knew Sundowns, because we won the league a lot during those years, it did not happen to us alone, Chiefs and Pirates experienced the same thing. When you were playing in Africa, you were playing more against bad decisions than good teams. But now things have changed completely, there is VAR, FIFA has stepped and firmly puts its foot down and the structure has also changed. 

Kgothatso- Sundowns became team of the decade 1990-2000 and booked their place in the CAF champions league final 2001, how was the mood in the team, did you feel you have reached your ultimate goal?

Natasha- Although we had lost the final, and due to what was happening with FIFA at that we could not participate in the club world cup, they were taking number 1 and 2 then. We had won the most league titles and became the first team to win 3 consecutive leagues. And I am glad Sundowns went to the club world cup in 2016 and I know they will go again.

Kgothatso- Is there a player and coach you wish Sundowns should have signed during your time at the club?

Natasha- You will not believe this, we missed the Chelsea legend Didier Drogba, he was 15 at that time, we went to Ivory coast looking for him, we were willing to pay any amount that he is worth. Only to find out that we have missed him by a week, some other club beat us to it, only if we could have been two weeks early. We had a variety of coaches that we checked, some coaches would do good in Europe, South America and come here, and not really do well.

 

Kgothatso- You have nurtured very rich soil and planted the seed that has now grown into being the most dominant team both in the PSL era and southern region of Africa, how does it feel knowing that you have contributed in laying the foundation for the South African football powerhouse?

Natasha- We feel very proud to have contributed a stone in a formidable and successful club that Sundowns is today. It is something we always tell our grandchildren, and we also teach to love the team (Sundowns) and football. I have a one and half year-old grandson, he is always kicking the ball, Angelo is preparing a good player in him for SA and Sundowns (laughs in). Seeing Sundowns being where it is today, is like seeing your child whom you have raised and guided doing really well in life, we are proud.

 

 Kgothatso- Which game is close to your heart during your time at the club and Why?

Natasha- I have so many so games but I will just count a few:

·         Cup final in Africa against Al Ahly

·         When we won United bank challenge

·         The first game we ever played at Loftus, I tried to get Loftus for two years, the chairman of the stadium management called me to say people who stay around the stadium complain, I told him that I am not taking no for an answer. Philemon Masinge and Lucas Radebe were signed by Leeds United and some time after their departure from South Africa, Sundowns played a friendly game with Leeds United at Loftus Versveld Stadium. It was on a Tuesday night; we were only allowed to play on a Tuesday. There was a band, to play the national anthem (Nkosi sikelele), I remember I turned around and saw that some people were sitting, so I encouraged people to stand and Angelo did the same. People stood up and sang the national anthem even the police, it was a proud moment, it was the most beautiful picture. The next day we received letters of congratulations, even from Loftus, they said football people behave much better than that rugby people (laughs in).

Kgothatso- Where does your love for football development come from and do you think the football fraternity is investing enough in ladies football development?

Natasha- My love for football development stems from the fact that I am from a football family. I belong to the CAF women’s committee, I was the President of women’s AFCON in Ghana, and I was the only women to be the President of women’s world cup. I can assure you, there is a lot we are doing to invest in women’s football hence now there will be champions league, we are giving women hope and more motivation to be involved in football.;

 

Kgothatso- CAF recently announced that they have CAF women’s champions league, what is your take on that decision?

Natasha- I was one of the people to propose that and it is going to take place. And Sundowns ladies will win it (Laughs in).

 

Kgothatso- Mamelodi Sundowns ladies’ team have been crowned the inaugural champions of SAFA National Women’s league and they might be on their way to represent South Africa in the CAF women’s champions league, do you think they have what it takes to conquer Africa?

Natasha- Yes, they have done so well, I believe they will be the first to win the women’s champions league because we are a team of setting records.

 

Kgothatso- What message do you have for the ladies’ team and their coach?

Natasha- The message I have for the team is that they must be focused and continue achieving because they are worth it, and they deserve it. To the coach: if you ever need help, do not be afraid to ask because no man is an island. The players must be motivated, mentally and physically strong and all push in one direction.

 

 Kgothatso- Do you think FIFA should set up a FIFA women’s club world cup?

Natasha- Yes it will be there. I have worked with the FIFA committee for so many years, I worked alongside Pele and other great names. I was the only name and few years later they brought two more women.

Kgothatso- Before Sundowns, you were involved in marketing and PR for some professional football clubs, do you hold qualifications in those fields?

Natasha- Yes, I do have qualifications, I have studied a lot. I did social worker, psychology, marketing and public relations and refereeing. I remember when I was doing the course for refereeing, the facilitator asked what a woman is doing in referees room, they wanted to kick me out but I refused and said the only way is for them to physically kick me out, they laughed and said I can stay but I will not get the certificate, but then as time goes on, they changed and started respecting me a lot, they realized they made a mistake. Being a social worker helps me a lot when it comes to communicating with people from all walks of life. Is very important that we as women we try to learn more things, that is the reason why I’d like to mentor youngsters.

 

KG- You were the first woman to be in the executive of NSL, first south African woman to be appointed in CAF, first ever South African to be appointed in FIFA’s committee, woman of the year 1998, first FIFA woman acting chairperson of under 17 women’s world cup and more, how did you achieve all of that, can you share your secret?

Natasha- Is not a secret, I realized that as a young woman I have to work twice as hard compared to men. I do not take no for an answer when I want something, I speak my mind and so long as I have vivid background of what I am talking about, I stand my ground, I stand for what I believe in and most of all professionalism is important.

 

 Kgothatso- Women like Chen Yuen Ting, Helena Costa and Patriza Panic have coached male teams. Do you think we will see a woman a professional male team in South Africa in our lifetime?

Natasha- I do not see that coming any time soon, we must have women in all teams. Once you have a woman as an assistant coach in a male team, they will progress, all they need is to be given a chance. We have men coaching women’s teams, it is unfair that we do not have any women doing the same in men’s team, that must change. Desiree Ellis used to be my player and she was a captain, look at her today. The likes of Desiree can coach male teams, but not her, I am just giving example of the great women we have in football (laughs in), we need her in the national team, she must win us the world cup. 

 Kgothatso- What can we do to attract more women in Football?

Natasha- We need more structures, now is even much better because women’s teams are becoming professional. Women will be eager to achieve more, and the money is a lil bit more now. As women we need come out and stand together with one voice and bring more women to football, give women the same support base we give to men’s teams.

 

Kgothatso- What can you can say to young women like myself who really want to establish a name for themselves within the football fraternity in the near future?

Natasha- As a young woman, you must concentrate on your strong points and conduct yourself professionally. My dear I worked so hard in my life, sometimes it will be five in the evening and I would realize that I have not eaten yet. Do not try to have a good time while working, and forget that you have responsibilities, leaders do not do that. You must focus and sacrifice. You must know your responsibilities and fulfil them. And I am happy to know that you are one of us.

 

 Kgothatso- Where were you when Sundowns lifted CAF champions league?

Natasha- I was with my family, having a big Sundowns flag on my car and driving on the streets of Tshwane, we were so happy.

 

 Kgothatso- Mamelodi Sundowns turns 50 years this year, some argue that they have won it all, do you think they can still achieve more?

Natasha- We have won it all, but you can never win enough. Hungry people in life are the healthy people. In life you are as good as your last game in football.

 

Kgothatso- How did you get the name ‘IRON LADY’?

Natasha- We had some difference with the PSL chairman over a player we both wanted long time ago. So, Pirates wanted the same player and I came out to say if I want a player, I will get it, I will not lose. Say Lerman (journalist) put my picture and chairman’s picture and said, “Iron lady vs Iron Duke”. But I initially got the name Iron lady because I was the only lady actively involved in the football committees. Iron lady came before Iron Duke (laughs in).

 

Kgothatso- What are on your thoughts on this initiative we have started, a supporters magazine. Just how important do you think it is for the club to have a publication of its own?

Natasha- Angelo and I had the magazine “The Brazilians”. Is good that you supporters came up with a magazine. I would call it “The Yellow Nation Pride” (laughs in), I love the name though. The magazine initiative shows that Sundowns supporters are advanced, they are doing great and want to achieve more for the club. 

I have a message to all Mamelodi Sundowns supporters, the number one player: “thank you for all these years, for the sacrifices you made for the club, nothing would have been done without you. We travelled the continent (Africa) together. And you still continue to do that, future of the team is to stay on top and you help a lot in ensuring that. Thank you. God bless everyone.”