I am a soccer fan. In my playing days I was a goalkeeper for Alexandra-based teams such as Alex Vultures, Sheffield United and Alex Blackpool, but because of my involvement in politics I never had enough time to continue my sporting activities.
In my position [as Gauteng sport MEC] it will be hard to say which team in the Premier Soccer League I support without offending others, because there are six teams from Gauteng in the PSL.
I think all four teams at the top of the log stand a chance of winning the league title, but they are not playing consistently so it’s difficult to say which one will win. But I would definitely like the title to remain in Gauteng.
I enjoy a variety of music by South African artists. I listen to African contemporary music — anything from Tshepo Tshola to Letta Mbulu, Caiphus Semenya, Hugh Masekela, Budaza and Ringo. I also like Afropop artists such as Mafikizolo, Malaika, Theo Kgosinkwe, the Jaziel Brothers and Thandiswa Mazwai, and currently I’m listening to Lira.
I also like house and kwaito music such as Black Coffee, DJ Vetkuk vs Mahoota, Oskido’s Church Grooves, Big Nuz’s Umlilo and Professor. These are two genres of music in South Africa that always get young people to dance.
I am trying to listen to some jazz — not a specific album because I’m still learning the genre and don’t have a favourite yet. As long as the beat and the lyrics are good, I listen.
Like any young person, I go to movies or theatre when I get the time. I enjoy action movies. The last film I watched was Salt, but Hunt to Kill remains my all-time favourite movie — the storyline is good.
Although I don’t have the time to go to church any longer, I am a believer. My father, a teacher, was also an ordained priest at one of the indigenous African churches, so I grew up in a religious home. The last time I went to church was in December last year for my youngest son’s christening ceremony.
I don’t travel much but I love Cape Town — it’s a good place to clear my head. My favourite restaurant is Pigalle, either the one in Sandton or Melrose Arch. I enjoy African dishes. I am not a complicated guy and I enjoy pap and vleis.
In my spare time, which I hardly have, I spend time with my wife and kids. I also make an effort to visit my friends in Alex. I don’t like reading fiction. I enjoy reading revolutionary books like the one I have just finished, Revolution 1989: The Fall of the Soviet Empire by Victor Sebestyen. I also enjoy literature by great revolutionary leaders because I think there are great lessons we can learn from leaders such as Che Guevara.
I am currently reading a book on the politics of South African soccer. Reading is very important and we have a library at home. I prioritise buying books for my wife and children. I receive about 20 friendship requests on my Facebook page daily. I have many friends and unfortunately I don’t have the time to chat to all of them. Sometimes when I log on I am flooded with about 50 messages of people wanting to chat. What I normally do is I reply to people who send me messages in my inbox — I think it’s better that way.
I can speak Zulu, Sotho, Xhosa, Tsonga, Venda and Pedi. I speak Zulu more fluently than Pedi, but it’s supposed to be the other way around because I am Pedi.
Lebogang Maile is Gauteng MEC for sport, arts, culture and recreation and chairman of the ANC Youth League in Gauteng. He spoke to Ngowako Matsha