“I’m ballin‘!”… Meet Shaq Matsebula. Shaq is a ballplayer from Pretoria, faithful to the stereotype; not so faithful in the eyes of many estrogenic peers. What is it about the 6-foot-something Matsebula that drives Rhodes girls wild?
Only a first year, Shaq has divided and conquered the masses -- one rebound at a time. “Shaq is a place I go to for the sake of society… a façade I put on” shifting his apple juice between hands as though he were rolling a Spalding, “he‘s the bad boy” a façade he seems to have mastered. n his (approximately) nine months at Rhodes University, Shaq has managed to build a reputation as the chiselled heartthrob from Fitzroy, spreading the love (not the virus) as much as he can. He’s also gotten himself in trouble with the good folks of Grahamstown, the alumni and University code of conduct. For what, exactly? Naturally, having a good time. The notorious “Drink and my 2 Step” birthday party hosted by the boys at Fitzroy was just another brush off the shoulders for Shaq, who concluded (weeks after his trial) “this university is actually some kind of a bitch to Grahamstown: G-town says jump, they beg how high”. Always cool as a cucumber, his 35 hours of first offence community service and year suspension just made him that much taller “I‘m ballin!” … let the haters hate.
As much as we’d love to think that’s all there is to this slick, it turns out there’s a softie hiding just beneath the surface: Meet Thando. Thando Matsebula is a shy mama’s boy who enjoys nothing more than to sing Boyz to Men classics in his shower. “He‘s the kind of person nobody really expects when they look at me, you know? Yeah”, he whispered, suddenly becoming very interested in the empty glass in his hand. One begins to wonder if his love for the game has made him a victim to the stereotype, or if he’s consumed by a fear that we all have when reaching varsity: making ourselves fit? Of course, he completely disagrees “we‘re all different as ballers. I mean, we play the game and the stereotype is immediately instilled; doesn‘t make us who we are”
Alas, Thando is someone Rhodes isn’t ready for. Ladies, if you thought you were having a rough time dealing with the ‘playa’ persona; you’d be at ease with the gentleman that awaits that one special girl. Yes, I said it. Gentleman. He opens the door for you, cooks a mean pasta and, with those dark brown eyes complete with a dimpled smile, keeps you entertained for hours.
What’s most interesting about this particular ballplayer is his ability to balance his lifestyle: comfortable in both Jekyll/ Hyde skins, he can switch it up depending on who he’s with. When he’s not out, naturally, having a good time; he’s ‘chilling’ at Fitzroy, having a cold one and philosophising about life and all its mysteries. His knack for engaging those around him, allowing them to learn about him (with trust and time, of course) proves to be his most powerful trait. In fact, Thando Shaq Matsebula unique blend of talent, intellect and mild arrogance can have anyone forgetting everything else around them.
Basically, what interviewing Shaq has highlighted is the importance of staying true to yourself, for yourself. At times we forget (especially in university) who we are and try keep up with the pressure. Take a leaf from Shaq’s book: kick back, talk back and keep “ballin‘ baby!”
Only a first year, Shaq has divided and conquered the masses -- one rebound at a time. “Shaq is a place I go to for the sake of society… a façade I put on” shifting his apple juice between hands as though he were rolling a Spalding, “he‘s the bad boy” a façade he seems to have mastered. n his (approximately) nine months at Rhodes University, Shaq has managed to build a reputation as the chiselled heartthrob from Fitzroy, spreading the love (not the virus) as much as he can. He’s also gotten himself in trouble with the good folks of Grahamstown, the alumni and University code of conduct. For what, exactly? Naturally, having a good time. The notorious “Drink and my 2 Step” birthday party hosted by the boys at Fitzroy was just another brush off the shoulders for Shaq, who concluded (weeks after his trial) “this university is actually some kind of a bitch to Grahamstown: G-town says jump, they beg how high”. Always cool as a cucumber, his 35 hours of first offence community service and year suspension just made him that much taller “I‘m ballin!” … let the haters hate.
As much as we’d love to think that’s all there is to this slick, it turns out there’s a softie hiding just beneath the surface: Meet Thando. Thando Matsebula is a shy mama’s boy who enjoys nothing more than to sing Boyz to Men classics in his shower. “He‘s the kind of person nobody really expects when they look at me, you know? Yeah”, he whispered, suddenly becoming very interested in the empty glass in his hand. One begins to wonder if his love for the game has made him a victim to the stereotype, or if he’s consumed by a fear that we all have when reaching varsity: making ourselves fit? Of course, he completely disagrees “we‘re all different as ballers. I mean, we play the game and the stereotype is immediately instilled; doesn‘t make us who we are”
Alas, Thando is someone Rhodes isn’t ready for. Ladies, if you thought you were having a rough time dealing with the ‘playa’ persona; you’d be at ease with the gentleman that awaits that one special girl. Yes, I said it. Gentleman. He opens the door for you, cooks a mean pasta and, with those dark brown eyes complete with a dimpled smile, keeps you entertained for hours.
What’s most interesting about this particular ballplayer is his ability to balance his lifestyle: comfortable in both Jekyll/ Hyde skins, he can switch it up depending on who he’s with. When he’s not out, naturally, having a good time; he’s ‘chilling’ at Fitzroy, having a cold one and philosophising about life and all its mysteries. His knack for engaging those around him, allowing them to learn about him (with trust and time, of course) proves to be his most powerful trait. In fact, Thando Shaq Matsebula unique blend of talent, intellect and mild arrogance can have anyone forgetting everything else around them.
Basically, what interviewing Shaq has highlighted is the importance of staying true to yourself, for yourself. At times we forget (especially in university) who we are and try keep up with the pressure. Take a leaf from Shaq’s book: kick back, talk back and keep “ballin‘ baby!”
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1 comment:
BABY! Writing a profile article is like painting a portrait of a particular subject. It must be done in such detail that the external and internal image of the person being written about must be vividly clear to the reader. You have achieved this exceedingly well in your profile of Mr. Matsebula. Although you were restricted in the number of words you were allowed to use, you were able to capture the essence of the man with fine precision. Your use of the binary opposites that Levi Strauss theorised about, for example Shaq versus the stereotype and Shaq versus Rhodes University, served well in portraying him as the hero, and sometimes as the victim. All in all, a skilfully composed, beautiful piece of art. ;)
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