Orlando Pirates star player Kermit Erasmus credits his late father Jerome Erasmus for the man he is today.

“My dad sacrificed a lot and spent a lot of his time helping me train and develop my ability to do the things I am able to do today. Being able to use both my left and right feet equally, that was all because of him.”

Outside of his father, once he started to understand football better, he eventually appreciated role models like the legendary Benni McCarthy.

“What he has done, not only for himself but for South African football, has helped me to believe anything is possible no matter where you are from. Him also doing this overseas was definitely something to aspire to.”

For Kermit, football has changed his life in ways he hopes he can pass down to the next generation of football stars.

“When I look back at where I come from and where I am today, the knowledge I have gained just from my travel experiences, it has changed my life in a positive way.”

Growing up in Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth) was a great experience for Kermit.

He played a lot of sports with friends including football and cricket, playing marbles and tops and riding bikes.

“We did all the fun things before social media. I had a great upbringing exploring and doing things with friends.”

Kermit has continued to explore through his football career by playing for a variety of teams overseas in countries like France, Sweden and Portugal. He describes his time outside the country as amazing.

“One of the greatest blessings of playing abroad was meeting someone and building a family with them.

I think there’s a lot we can learn from different countries. I am blessed that football has given me the opportunity to do that. I’ve learnt so much from how people are. The difference in culture and environments. The food, seeing different things and the experiences.”

“My time abroad taught me a lot of different things like to never expect everybody to know who you are, no matter how big you are in your own country. You are starting from scratch creating a name for yourself. One of the most valuable lessons I learnt in Europe is that the people will applaud you if you are good at what you do, a lot of us can learn from that. In South Africa, you are only remembered for what you’ve done after you’ve passed on. That’s the sad reality we are faced with.

Abroad, the experience and love you receive is different. Look at Sibusiso Zuma in Copenhagen, Lucas Radebe at Leeds for instance. It shows their sacrifices did not go unnoticed.”

Locally, Kermit feels South African football has the most naturally gifted players in the world who just need to be honed.

“The level of football is great. There is always room for improvement in the league. When I started under the Supersport United development academy there were lots of academies in place. That is the foundation of a great generation of footballers.

If we can implement that now and invest in more academies, local football will grow to be a force to be reckoned with, it all starts at grassroots.”

He adds: “The things South African footballers can do with the ball is amazing. I have been moulded and nurtured by the development academy. The right structures were in place for me to develop as a player. With more academies in competition with each other SA football could have a bright future.”

Football has taught Kermit that you have to show up every single day.

“You can be great last week but if you don’t show up today, your chances of being great as last week are slim. It’s always ‘show up to show out’. Consistency is key just like it is in life. No matter what you want to do, what you want to become… be consistent. Sometimes it’s hard but consistency outweighs discipline because it gives you the discipline to do the things you don’t want to do. It gives you the results from what consistency brings.”

Kermit is one of the most celebrated talents at Orlando Pirates. Some of the highlights he has had playing for the club include winning the Nedbank Cup in 2014 against Wits (3-1).

“That was emotional, I scored two goals in the game and I could not have asked for a better final.”

Kermit has had his fair share of naysayers and doubters throughout his career and he has continued to prove them wrong.

“Coming back to the club and doing what I have done – winning two cups, has been nothing short of amazing. I saw a tweet after I posted a picture of me signing saying I am back, someone said it’s not like we would win any cups. At the end of the season I saw the tweet again and it reminded me of something important; no matter what people say about you, always believe in yourself and count on yourself because you are all you’ve got. That’s one thing I have stuck to.

I might not get it right all the time but I would rather get it wrong knowing that I banked on myself. People have a lot to say about me as a footballer which comes with being in the limelight. It’s difficult to accept those things because I’m the opposite of what the limelight has brought me but I embrace every challenge, believing in myself. There will always be doubters.”

He gets emotional when he speaks about the passing of his late father, two years ago.

“Losing my dad was one of the most difficult experiences of my life. I still struggle with it at times.

The relationship I had with him has been the best experience of my life. He was always there for me when I needed him, stood up for me when I couldn’t do it for myself. Even though he was my father he was like a big brother to me too. That’s why he will forever be my role model.

“I am still dealing with it, some days are hard, some days are not as hard. But one thing I know is that he is watching down on me and he is proud of me.”

When Kermit is not on the field, he is a totally different person.

“I am into things that have nothing to do with being a footballer. I love food, fashion, cars and clothing. I love to relax and chill out. I think about ideas I can create and bring to life off the field. I try to keep my mind off my actual job so people can see I am human, into normal things that people didn’t expect. I love hanging out with friends, playing video games. I am a sucker for fashion and good food.”

A day in the life of Kermit involves him squeezing in a training session to start off his day. Without some exercise, his day will just not start on the right foot. He then makes sure to have breakfast and then takes time to relax by either going for a drive or hanging out with his friends. They often go into the township and relax there for the day.

“It’s not complicated at all. I am very simple and I think a lot of people will be surprised by that.”

Something fans of the star will also be surprised by is the fact that he can speak isiZulu, French and Dutch fluently.

“If you speak to me in person the opinion of what you have of me would be different. Curiosity keeps people tuned in.”

For this season, Kermit says fans can expect the team to challenge everything that is on offer.

“One of the most important things is being consistent and I hope that the support will be as consistent as our performances throughout the seasons. The fans were amazing with their support last season. Our evening game against Golden Arrows (2-0) the most amazing

things happened that night. Everyone lit their flashlights and that became a thing. We expect a great season ahead of us and to stick together as a team.”

One of his closest allies in football is Miguel Timm, a close friend and teammate. The two roomed together at the Supersport Academy back in 2004 and have been good friends ever since.

“What a human being and talent. I am proud of his achievements and career. He is reaping the rewards at a great club. Not many understand his style of play, but he is now at a club that acknowledges his talents and it is great to see.

I know what he has been through, I know what it takes to become a professional footballer. To see the man he has become is amazing. I am happiest for him only because I know what he has had to go through to be where he is and to see him get the appreciation with so much passion. He is definitely someone I can go to war with.”

Sports stars tend to be heroes for many fans and Kermit is no different. However he does feel that fans need to remember that at the end of the day sports stars are also humans, just like them.

“Fans of the game don’t understand or forget that we are human beings as well. We are wired just like other people. Take for instance having a challenge or setback in your life and trying to separate that from yourself so you can perform at a big game. Your best is expected no matter what problems you may have in your personal life.

We also have mental challenges, we aren’t at our best everyday but we have to deliver on the field because other people’s happiness rests in our hands (read as feet in this case)”.

Kermit says some fans are starting to understand these challenges and they plan to discuss this more on an upcoming podcast.

When Kermit does eventually retire he wants to be remembered as always being genuine.
“I never shy away from an occasion on the field to show my ability as a footballer. I am still capable of more. Years from now that will be something people will speak about. There’s a saying that goes ‘be so good at what you do that your money’s no good anywhere’. It sounds far-fetched but nothing is impossible and that is what I strive for.”

Kermit Erasmus’ perfect starting 11 team” PSL 11

Goalkeeper: Emile Baron

Back 4:OJ Mabizela – Rushine De Reuck – Rivaldo Coetzee – Lyle Lakay

Midfield 4: Gift Leremi – Mpho Makola – Miguel Timm- Daine Klate-

Front 2- Lesley Manyatela – Benni McCarthy

Cover star: Kermit Erasmus

Cover story: Mpiletso Motumi

Editor-in-Chief & Producer: Bonnie Meslane

Photography: Austin Malema of RCT Studios

Creative Direction: Lesego Kgosimolao & Bonnie Meslane

Makeup: Caroline Greeff & Tumi Mbangi

Wardrobe team:

Wardrobe styling: @advicebykgosilesego
Styling team: @bokangbatloung @iseng @mrsuave_dastylista
Hair: @laid_by_lolo

Photography team: RTC Studios

Aust Malema Photographer
Henry King Digitech
Nkateko Masinga Lighting Director
Tyrone Jhns Retoucher
Khotso Tsaagane Assistant
Tshepo Zitha Assistant

Studio: NewKatz Studio

Graphic Design: Adekunle Owolabi & Herbert Chaunzwa