Siphiwe Tshabalala is a 39-year-old South African professional football player who has garnered fame as one of the most decorated players of the country’s national team. Notably, he is the second-most capped player of the national team with 90 caps under his belt. He earns over R450,000 in salary every month.
Playing the midfield position, Siphiwe is currently associated with the Turkish club Büyükşehir Belediye Erzurumspor. Before his career with the club, he played for the Kaizer Chiefs from 2007 to 2018.
He has also represented South African National Team both in continental and global competitions. Beyond football, Tshabalala is also famous for his relationship with the South African model and TV star, Bonang Matheba. Read on, to discover more juicy facts about Siphiwe Tshabalala, his biography and personal life below.
Summary of Siphiwe Tshabalala’s Biography
- Full name: Lawrence Siphiwe Tshabalala
- Gender: Male
- Date of birth: September 29, 1984
- Siphiwe Tshabalala’s Age: 39 years old
- Ethnicity: Black
- Nationality: South African
- Zodiac Sign: Libra
- Sexual Orientation: Straight
- Marital Status: Married
- Siphiwe Tshabalala’s Wife: Bokang Montjane (m. 2016)
- Siphiwe Tshabalala’s Children: Owethu Orefile Temo
- Siphiwe Tshabalala’s Parents: Rebecca Makhubu and Isaac Tshabalala
- Siblings: Mpumi Tshabalala
- Siphiwe Tshabalala’s Height in Inches: 66.9
- Siphiwe Tshabalala’s Height in Metres: 1.70
- Siphiwe Tshabalala’s Weight: 72 kg
- Siphiwe Tshabalala’s Net worth: US$5 million
- Famous for: Being one of the most decorated players of South Africa’s national football team
- Siphiwe Tshabalala’s Instagram: siphiweshabba
- Twitter: @siphiweshabba
Who is Siphiwe Tshabalala and What’s His Age?
The football star was born on September 29, 1984, and was given Lawrence Siphiwe Tshabalala at birth. He hails from Phiri, Soweto and is the son of Isaac Tshabalala and his wife, Hadifele Rebecca. His father was a taxi driver, while nothing much is known about his mother’s occupation. Unfortunately, his mom passed on the 5th of December 2010, after sustaining a head injury from a fall at a bridal shower which she was attending with Siphiwe’s father.
Growing up, Siphiwe spent his childhood in Soweto along with his younger sister named Mpumi. While there, he completed his secondary education at Seanamarena Secondary School in Phiri, Soweto. When he was a child, Siphiwe had the dream of becoming a chartered accountant. However, his love for football led him to forge a career in the sport, for which he has become famous.
For his youth career, Siphiwe played for the Phiri Arsenal for three years, starting from 1991 to 1994. Thereafter, he joined Phiri Mover, where he played from 1994 to 1997. He also played in the Kaizer Chiefs Youth Academy from 1997 to 2002. He ended his youth career with the Moroka Swallows, where he played from 2002 to 2003, before making his way into the professional league.
Professional Football Career
The football star began his professional career in 2003, playing as a midfielder for Alexandria United. The following year, he left the team and joined Free State Stars where he played for three seasons, ending in 2007. He made a total of 64 appearances for the team and also scored 31 goals. After a stellar season with the Free State Stars, Siphiwe joined the Kaizer Chiefs senior team, making his debut on 31st August 2007.
With the Chiefs, Siphiwe Tshabalala scored his first goal on the 12th of December 2007 against the Golden Arrows. Between 2008 and 2009, he continuously did above and beyond his expectations; hence, participating in the 2008 African Nation’s Cup and the 2013 African Nations Cup, which landed him various awards within and outside his team.
In August 2015, Siphiwe scored a magnificent goal, hitting the ball on the volley from a great distance. His goal was nominated as one of the best goals of the season and it happened at the same stadium where he scored a similar goal against Mexico in the FIFA 2010 world cup. After 11 seasons with the Chiefs, Siphiwe left the team for Turkish side Büyükşehir Belediye Erzurumspor in 2018.
Additionally, Siphiwe has never failed to exhibit his skills as he was numbered among the best players in the South African national team, playing alongside strikers like Benni McCarthy. He is the second-most capped player on the team with 90 caps. More so, he has played in three African Cup of Nations and 2010 World Cup, among others.
His Relationship With Bonang Matheba
Siphiwe Tshabalala is one of the many celebrities who was rumored to have had a relationship with the popular Soth African TV personality Bonang Matheba, also known as “Queen B”. It was alleged that these two had something going when she was presenting for Kaizer Chiefs FC TV. Although Siphiwe never denied this, he did not keep his crush for the TV personality a secret, instead, he is often spotted going on several dates with her.
Their relationship, however, was shortlived as Shabalala got hooked with former Miss SA Bokang Montjane whom he is currently married to. The couple started dating since 2012 and in 2016, they exchanged marital vows. Their first child (a boy) named Owami was born on the 6th of February 2015.
Siphiwe Tshabalala Salary Earnings and Net Worth
Siphiwe’s unique goal for South Africa in the 2010 world cup did not just earn him fame, it also helped him garner a substantial amount in salaries. As of 2015, Siphiwe who is described as “a tricky winger with pace and one who can deliver fantastic crosses, earns a minimum salary of R 380,000, totaling up to over four million five hundred rands a year. However, through his current stint with the Turkish team, Büyükşehir Belediye Erzurumspor, the midfielder is said to be pocketing over R450,000 every month.
Asides from his salary, Tshabalala has equally racked in millions through endorsements and other business endeavors; all of which have helped him maintain a whopping net worth estimated at US$5 million.
See Also: 5 South African Footballers To Watch In The African Cup Of Nations
How Does Siphiwe Tshabalala Spend His Money?
Wondering how the football star spends his money? Well, unlike most soccer players of his kind who are known for being extravagant during their active soccer years, but end up struggling when they are retired; Siphiwe Tshabalala has carefully secured for himself a future that would last even after he is retired. He has various business investments across South Africa. He also has mansions in different parts of the country, including Johannesburg.
During his spare time, Siphiwe prefers to stay away from the daily hustle and bustle of the city. He stays in his Johannesburg mansion. The house has a swimming pool, an entertainment area with a Deejay Equipment setup and a trampoline at the backyard. He also has a fleet of exotic cars which include Lexus IS 350 worth R450 000; BMW 125i worth R401 926; Range Rover Sports worth R800 000; Mercedes Benz ML63, and a Nissan X-Trail, which he won after the 2008-2009 season.
