Humble beginnings make success taste better

EASTERN Province Kings' loose head prop, Lizo Gqoboka, 24, shared his humble beginnings with La Femme over braaied pork and boerewors at Blawa Butchery in New Brighton this weekend.

The Mount Frere-born rugby player holds a human resources degree but explains how he could not speak English until he got to university as he went to Ntabankulu High School in the "underdeveloped" part of the old Transkei.

"I still struggle with the language but it is so much better now. I never even knew about rugby until a guy at 'varsity said that I would make a great rugby player with my big body," he said.

Gqoboka grew up in a family of 14 children, with only three of them his biological siblings. The rest were adopted cousins.

"We never had much but we were happy. We prayed together and nothing was more important than family and sharing. I remember how my mother would cut up an apple into 14 pieces so that we could all have a piece," he said.

He said his parents – a taxi driver and nurse – made a sacrifice to invest in his education, and now he plans to give back.

"The other day I was at KFC and I smiled and thought how grateful I was to God that I could have a "Streetwise2" all by myself. Back home we would share it, but it was always enough," he said.

Besides rugby, Gqoboka said that he was learning to play the piano, would soon be taking up the guitar and also had a very keen interest in charity work. "One day I hope that I can give back to my community back home as there is so much business potential to improve the community."

A rugby highlight was training with the Springboks earlier this year when they played Australia. He even shared a room with his idol, Beast Mtawarira. "That was the most unforgettable time of my life."

For now the shy guy is still single, saying rugby is his life and he is thankful for the opportunity to play for his province. "I still have a lot of rugby years in me."

I picked Blawa Butchery because ... I am a meat lover and this place has the best sweet chilli sauce, they play the best music and it has a very chilled atmosphere.

I'll know I've made it when ... I have stable businesses to leave for my [future] kids, that could even sustain my grandchildren one day.

I love rugby because ... it's my passion.

The people who have taught me the most are ...  my parents.

I have a soft spot for …  the less fortunate.

I should have studied ...  law because I loved it when I was young but I don't regret studying HR.

I'd love to party with …  Pharrell Williams. He's intelligent, hard-working and makes good, positive music.

I'm listening to … Bob Dylan.

When I was 16, I wish I knew ... that trusting your gut is the best you can ever do for yourself and that you can't please everyone.

My music weakness is … jazz and gospel music.

Nothing makes me happier than …  going home and being with my family.

My favourite item of clothing is … jeans and my muscle huggers.

I absolutely hate … waking up too early, being stuck in traffic and negativity.

I am saving to buy …  a house.

I share my life with ... my family and close friends.

I can't go a day without ... praying.

My favourite places in the Bay are ...  the beach and Mike's Kitchen in Mount Pleasant. - Sinesipho Mbandazayo