The 30th March 2007 marked a special day for a Kaizer Chiefs staff member, as it heralded in his 50th wedding anniversary. While Thami Mayaluza head of security and logistics for Kaizer Chiefs spent the day with his wife Elizabeth and two children and three grand children, he could not but think back to the day in 1957 when he married Elizabeth Manetse (her maiden name), who he has known all his life.

Thamsanqa or Thami, as his colleagues know him, knew his wife to be from a very early age, as they were neighbours in the Johannesburg suburb previously known as Western Native Township - these days it is called Westbury, also attended the same primary and high schools and were meant to spend the rest of their days together, Thami who has been involved with Kaizer Chiefs since 1974 and been a permanent staff member at the club for more than twenty years, speaks highly of the lady who has keep him upright for half a century. “For me it would be unimaginable to think of my life without Elizabeth in it, she has been through a lot with me and has helped me remain strong through a lot of things”.

While Thami has down the years taken care of the Chiefs first teams various travel and security arrangements, he believes that had it not been for Elizabeth’s support his job at The Amakhosi would have been more challenging. “Being involved with the team full time means that for many weekends of the year you are away, it takes a lot of patience on the side of your family. Thankfully for me, my wife has understood that Chiefs is also a passion of mine and has supported me throughout my time with the team”.

He does though further believe that one thing has kept them happy for most of their fifty years, and as Mayaluza explains “thankfully wife and I support the same soccer team, so that has meant that we win together and lose together which has kept our house a happy home all of these years”.

To Thami and Elizabeth Mayaluza from everyone at Kaizer Chiefs here’s wishing you many more happy days together.