Ex-Orlando Pirates midfielder Hleza Mofedi recalls near-injury in boiling-water muti ritual

Former Orlando Pirates midfielder Hleza Mofedi says he and several team-mates “almost died” after a traditional healer’s ritual involving boiling water went badly wrong during his time with the Soweto giants.

Mofedi, who won the league title and earned Bafana Bafana caps while at Pirates, described how a muti practitioner used scalding water and a red‐hot iron during a steam ritual at a team hotel – causing a violent eruption in the room.

“Yay! [Laughs] Bekugezwa. A muti man almost burned us with boiling water at Pirates,” Mofedi recalled. “We were steam bathing besifutha in a hotel. This guy put the old iron, the one that is used for ironing clothes, but not the electrical one, the old one. He put the iron in boiling water, and the water erupted like a volcano… we almost died that day. You should have seen when the blanket flew to the ceiling.”

The former midfielder says despite the frightening incident, he remains convinced that the use of muti contributed to Pirates’ success during their title-winning campaign under the late coach Roy Barreto.

“Does muti work in football? Yes, it does work. I saw that when we won the league under the late Roy Barreto. We used muti that season,” he said.

Pirates the pinnacle of his career

Mofedi is clear that his spell at Orlando Pirates was the peak of his playing days, citing continental experience, major trophies and national-team recognition.

“Obviously at Orlando Pirates. That’s where I gained the experience of playing in the CAF Champions League, that’s where I won the Championship and played for Bafana Bafana,” he said.

He believes turning out for one of South Africa’s major Gauteng clubs is crucial for players with ambitions of reaching the national team and challenging for league honours.

“You will never be a Bafana Bafana player playing for the small teams. You will never win the league playing for teams outside Gauteng,” Mofedi argued, adding that big clubs are also more likely to secure players personal sponsorship deals.

If given the chance to restart his career now and choose any side, he insists his answer would be the same.

“If you were to be young again today and be allowed to join a team of your choice, which team would you join? Obvious: Orlando Pirates. That’s the team that made things happen for me,” he said. “Everything is possible in South Africa if you’re playing for the big teams. Those are the teams that will get your personal sponsorship.”

Highs, lows and the move that led to relegation

Asked to identify his proudest moments, Mofedi points to lifting the league title and representing Bafana Bafana as the clear highlights of his career.

“Winning the league and playing for Bafana Bafana. That’s my biggest achievement,” he said.

His lowest point, he explains, came when he left Pirates to return to Free State Stars – a move he believes directly contributed to the club’s relegation.

“When I left Pirates and returned to Free State Stars. The chairman didn’t want me to go, but the late Ntate Mike Mokoena pressurised him to release me back to Stars,” Mofedi said.

“I relegated Free State Stars, but we managed to bring the team back to the Premier Division,” he added, reflecting on a period that brought both disappointment and eventual redemption for the club.

Idols, discovery and favourite current player

Growing up, Mofedi’s inspiration was Steve Lekoelea – then known as Steve Motsiri – whom he watched starring for Moroka Swallows in Bethlehem.

“The young Steve Motsiri [Lekoelea]. I loved him a lot during my amateur days, not knowing I would end up playing with him,” he said.

His admiration was such that he copied Lekoelea’s shirt number and even wrote his name inside his boots.

“I used to wear jersey number 12; I used to write Steve Lekoelea underneath the sole of my soccer boots. I used to watch him playing for Moroka Swallows in Bethlehem. I couldn’t understand how he was able to play with a matchstick in his mouth. We ended up being friends when I joined Orlando Pirates.”

Mofedi credits several figures for helping him progress, but says one coach played a key role in his professional breakthrough.

“To be honest, there are a lot of people who played an important role in my success. There are just too many to mention. But the person who discovered me for Free State Stars was Themba Sithole,” he said.

In the modern game, his favourite PSL player is a midfielder whose nickname at one stage paid tribute to Mofedi himself.

“Makhehlene Makhaula. I love that boy very much. When he was still at Free State Stars, he was called ‘Hleza’ [laughs],” he said.

Despite the challenges and setbacks that come with a professional career, Mofedi maintains his affection for the sport remains undiminished.

“Anything you dislike about football? I love everything about football, even the bad treatment,” he said.

Derby duels and toughest opponent

Looking back on his most difficult opponents, Mofedi singles out Jabu Mahlangu – widely known by his nickname “Shuffle” – particularly in the intensity of a Soweto Derby.

“It was this boy Shuffle [Jabu Mahlangu]. I remember during one Soweto Derby he would say to me, ‘Hleza! Play football, man, don’t kick us!’” Mofedi recalled.

His reply on the pitch, he says, underlined the combative edge that defined his midfield style.

“My response was…’ Hey ndoda ngisemsebenzini la ngizokufaka isicathulo’.”