Ex-Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns keeper has a new surname!

Former Kaizer Chiefs and current Swallows FC goalkeeper Thela Ngobeni has a new surname, and he has explained the reason behind changing it.

For the past 32 years, Thela used the surname Ngobeni, but that will no longer be the case as he enters his 13th year as a professional football.

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From now on, the 32-year-old former Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns shot-stopper will be known as Thela Thela.

And that’s because he has decided to use his father’s surname (Thela) as the Ngobeni surname belongs to his mother.

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Speaking to Impempe, Thela said the time had come for him to go back to his father’s surname as he’s considered one of the leaders in the family.

“In the past years, I was using the Ngobeni surname which is my mother’s surname,” said Thela.

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“I saw the need to drop it. The time had come for me to use my father’s surname. If you really know my name Thela, that’s actually my surname.

“I was named after my father’s surname. I don’t really know how that happened but when I grew up, they told me I would be one of the leaders of this family,” he explained.

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“They said that’s why I was given a name that’s also a surname. I believe the way I have done in the 32 years of my life, it goes with their wishes,” continued the former Amakhosi man.

“When you are young, you don’t understand why you use your mother’s surname, and then as you grow up, you start asking questions and then you get the explanation.”

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“And then you understand what you are being told. I think my mom explained why I had to change and take my father’s surname.

He added: “There were challenges in this journey that led to me changing the surname as there were things that I had to fulfill.”

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“But I’m happy that it eventually happened. From now on, everyone must address me as Thela Thela. If you say, Mr Thela, you’d be done,” concluded Thela.