Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Teboho Mokoena has expressed his delight at being honoured by the Free State government legislature. In June last year, Mokoena was invited as a guest of honour in the Free State parliament by the Chief Whip of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), Mr Seiso Mohai.
The 25-year-old was recognised for his contribution to the development of soccer in Free State and nationally. According to South African Parliament’s official website, the two events hosted by Mohai were to hand over a signed Teboho Mokoena memorabilia to the Free State legislature and another to hand over a soccer kit to Vulamasango Secondary School in Bloemfontein.
Speaking in an interview on Marawa Sports Worldwide, Mokwena said he was “shaking” and could not believe he was honoured by the state. “I was shaking, I was overwhelmed. I did not know how I felt because when I got there, there was a red carpet, I was like, ‘Huh? I didn’t believe it,” he said
“I was like, ‘No, this is not for me’, red carpet, go to the art room, relax, I was like ‘wow’ and then got to the parliament, then I saw the Chief Whip, the legislature. “I was like, ‘No, it’s too much’, I was emotional, I could not believe it. I was invited in honour of the work I did in my career, from SuperSport (United), national teams (including youth teams) and Sundowns. It was an honour,” he added
Teboho Mokoena:
“Rulani Mokwena watches 1 game 4 times.Even training sessions,we watch together,we analyze & myk corrections. In every game we play,every player has corrections.u have 2go home & watch ur games so that u can analyze next day,there’s a lot of work 2do at Sundowns.” pic.twitter.com/7XKvq4KmjP— (@YELL0MAN) January 25, 2023
The Bethlehem native also revealed how his family received the news and said his mom could not comprehend how he got such an honour from the provincial legislature at such a tender age.
“They were surprised, they were happy. When I first told them the news, my mom was like, ‘How did you get that?’ Then I told her how it happened, she was excited. She was also invited but she could not make it, it was in Bloem and she was home,” he said.
“But they are very happy because it’s a big achievement, very big achievement for me,” he concluded.
