As Peter Shalulile is honoured for becoming one of the PSL’s all-time
top scorers, the secret to his sustained excellence isn’t found in the
glamour of football stardom, but in the quiet simplicity of his family’s
farm in northern Namibia.
This is according to his long-time manager, Jakes Amaning, who provides a
rare glimpse into the disciplined upbringing and grounded lifestyle that
have shielded the Mamelodi Sundowns striker from the distractions of fame.
“When he’s on holiday, as soon as he lands in Windhoek, he takes the next
available car and goes straight to his parents,” Amaning revealed. “He
doesn’t hang around in the city or chase parties. He stays with his mom and
dad on the farm until a day before he must report back to training.”
While teammates might be enjoying their time off elsewhere, Shalulile
recharges by tending to the cattle, goats, and sheep, while maintaining a
strict fitness regimen at a local gym. This profound connection to his
roots, Amaning insists, is the bedrock of his focus and humility.
The foundation for this character was laid early on. Amaning recalled a
pivotal moment when Shalulile received his first significant football
payment of R50,000.
“I was so happy and went to tell his mom,” Amaning said. “She looked at me
and said, ‘No, Jakes, I don’t want you to spoil my son.’ She took all the
money, put it in the bank, and told Peter to live like all the other
children.”
That early lesson in financial discipline and humility has defined
Shalulile’s entire career. It is a key reason, Amaning believes, why the
31-year-old remains content and loyal at Sundowns despite potential
lucrative moves abroad.
“For Peter, it’s not about how much you earn. It’s about what you do with
what you have,” Amaning explained. “He’s not wasteful. He looks after
himself, stays disciplined, and spends 99% of his time focusing on
football.”
This single-minded dedication has yielded historic results, making him a
legend for both Sundowns and the Namibian national team, for whom he is the
all-time leading scorer.
Amaning also paid tribute to the coaches who have guided Shalulile from his
early days, from Colin Benjamin and Timo Tjongarero in Namibia to Allan
Freese and Owen da Gama in South Africa.
But ultimately, his manager sums up the striker’s success with a simple
truth: “Peter has never forgotten where he comes from – and that’s why he
keeps going higher.”
