Brilliant Khuzwayo has been honoured by the eThekwini Municipality for his career with a special luncheon held in his honour in Durban.
The former Bafana Bafana, Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates goalkeeper was forced into early retirement in July due to a recurring ankle problem.
The 29-year-old was hosted by the city where he was also asked to be an ambassador and face for the upcoming eThekwini Games this weekend.
Speaking afterwards, Khuzwayo said he felt overwhelmed by the support he continues to receive by South Africans.
Khuzwayo was born and bred in Umlazi and began his professional career nearly a decade ago at AmaZulu FC, before switching to Chiefs in 2012.
But after finding his opportunities limited at Naturena, he moved across Soweto and was touted for a big future with the Buccaneers, before injury robbed him of doing that.
The talented gloveman said he was not bitter about what life threw at him, instead embracing the opportunity for new beginnings.
Wednesday’s event was attended by several high-profile members of the eThekwini Municipality, representatives from the Durban Chamber of Commerce and personalities from the South African soccer fraternity.
Part of the lunch was to offer support to Khuzwayo in terms of sharing ideas of how he could move into business or stay within the footballing sphere.
The lanky goalkeeper says he is currently in discussion with various stakeholders mulling over options regarding his next move.
Khuzwayo did concede that things had been tough after he learnt a little over two months back that he would not be able to continue playing the game. He said that he got through the difficult times due to his strong mindedness.
Pirates Chairman Dr. Irvin Khoza was scheduled to attend the event, but did not arrive, sending his apologies instead.
However, another of Khuzwayo’s previous mentors, Bobby Motaung of Chiefs was present, along with his former representative Tim Sukazi.
Motaung said he was pleased Khuzwayo was receiving so much of support, urging him to use his profile to grow as a person outside of football. – Report by Thahir Asmal
Osingaye??#PRCMonth#SportPersonalityLuncheon.#BrilliantKhuzwayo@Brilliekhuzwayo @KaizerChiefs @orlandopirates @AmaZuluFootball pic.twitter.com/4tc6hZPIhF
— eThekwini Municipality (@eThekwiniM) September 25, 2019
#SportPersonalityLuncheon#PRCMonth#BrilliantKhuzwayo@KaizerChiefs pic.twitter.com/bZTrqJAAkB
— eThekwini Municipality (@eThekwiniM) September 25, 2019
Osingaye ezibongela kwizihambeli zomcimbi. @Brilliekhuzwayo #SportPersonalityLuncheon.#BrilliantKhuzwayo#PRCMonth pic.twitter.com/G6E4AimFBm
— eThekwini Municipality (@eThekwiniM) September 25, 2019
