Kaizer Chiefs dynamic midfielder: Where is Gert Schalkwyk now?

Gert Schalkwyk is one of the best footballers to ever come of out Klerksdorp in the North West.

The former Kaizer Chiefs player is remembered for terrorising defenders and for his diligence on the field of play.

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TROPHIES, TROPHIES AND MORE TROPHIES AT KAIZER CHIEFS

Born on 9 April 1982, Schalkwyk had the ability to operate as central attacking midfielder and striker. He started his professional career at Free State Stars in 2001, before moving to defunct Bidvest Wits in 2002. But it was his time at Chiefs that would make him a superstar.

Schalkwyk joined Amakhosi in 2004 when he was 21 years old. His first season was difficult at Chiefs as he was fighting to take either the late John “Shoes” Moshoeu’s position, or positions that were played by Thabo Mooki or Jabulani Mendu.

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The attacking midfielder eventually started getting more game time with the Glamour Boys; forming a deadly duo with David “DVD” Mathebula during Ernest Midderndrop’s days and later with Venezuelan star Jose Torrealba – a combination that was given birth to during the inaugural MTN 8 Cup in the 2008/2009 season.

Schalkwyk played for Chiefs during its glory days; winning a number of trophies including the 2004 Coca-Cola Cup, 2004/2005 Castle Premiership League, 2006 SAA Supa 8, 2006 Absa Cup, 2007 Telkom Knockout Cup and 2008 MTN 8 Cup.

GERT SCHALKWYK’S FACEBOOK SHOCKER, GOING AWOL AND RETIREMENT

In 2009, Schalkwyk was loaned to Bloemfontein Celtics – which was sold to multimillionaire Shauwn “MaMkhize” Mkhize in 2021 who renamed it to Royal AM. When the soccer player’s stint at Celtics ended, he returned to Chiefs before making a move to Orlando Pirates where he won the 2010 MTN 8 Cup.

However, the football star raised eyebrows in 2010 when he announced on Facebook that he was retiring from football and then disappeared from the club’s training.

Clearing the air in an interview with seasoned sportscaster Thomas Mlambo on SABC 1’s Sport@10 in 2017, he said that his Facebook account was hacked.

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Other clubs Schalkwyk played for are Maritzburg United, Santos and the South African national team. He also made a move to Cyprus side, Bostancı Bağcı, in 2013, but made no appearances for the club.

In the same year, SowetanLIVE reported that he had gone AWOL from the Moroka Swallow training camp.

Schalkwyk was still playing football in 2017, for North West ABC Motsepe League team, Matlosana united.

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WHERE IS GERT SCHALKWYK NOW?

Speaking to Nkululeko Nkewu on iDiski TV in 2020, Schalkwyk shared that he is now the coach of ABC Motsepe side Stilfontein Real Hearts.

The former Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates player is now empowering young boys and girls in Klerksdorp through The Gert Schalkwyk Foundation.

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According to the website, the aim is to revitalise sports culture by offering academic and social sports programmes for South African youth.

“Our target audience is unemployed youth and schools in need of professional coaching.”

This year, the foundation hosted a school league kick off event in March and again in May. It also hosted an Easter Tournament. Upcoming tournaments include a women’s and junior competition in August, as well as a masters tournament in November.

When it comes to his personal life, he is married to Natalie Schalkwyk whom he started dating while at Chiefs.

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