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Sinikiwe Marodza in  JOHANNESBURG, South Africa
ZIMBABWE international midfielder Willard Katsande’s mother wanted him to become a security guard, but he chose to become a footballer.The defensive linkman, now a darling at South Africa’s Kaizer Chiefs, cut his milk teeth at Frontier Steel in 2002 and came into the limelight when he played for Highway in the domestic Premier Soccer League before he was snatched by Gunners in 2009.

He will be remembered for playing a blinder in the Champions League as Gunners beat African giants Al Ahly 1-0 at Rufaro.

Katsande soon attracted interest from South Africa. He was soon packing his bags heading for Ajax Cape Town and was a stand-out performer before he was signed by Kaizer Chiefs in 2011.

Katsande (WK) on Monday this week met the impactCapitalAlliance Sports Academy development side, currently touring South Africa to give a motivational speech to young and upcoming footballers. Gemazo Blitz (GB) caught up with the Amakhosi star.

GB: How did you spend your first salary in South Africa?
WK: My first international salary was so little. I was then at Ajax Cape Town but I gave part of it to my mother back home. I remember I also went shopping and bought some clothes for myself.

GB: How much was it?
WK: It was only 9 000 rand.

GB: And your first car?
WK: My first car was a BMW. It was my childhood dream to drive that car so I didn’t think twice about buying it. I just went to the motor vehicle dealers and bought it without even batting an eye. I did not even test drive it, I just wanted the car.

GB: What car are you driving now?
WK: I am driving a Nissan 370Z Coupe. I love fast cars. I love its interior and I feel comfortable driving in this baby.

GB: How is life at Kaizer Chiefs?
WK: Well, I don’t want to say much, but let me put it this way, Kaizer Chiefs kubasa so whatever the situation I face I take it as it comes. I do not give attention to little things that can distract football. I am a professional footballer and I am here to work.

GB: Have you adjusted to the life in SA?
WK:It’s my second home. I am not an outgoing person and, like I said earlier, I am here to work, make money and go back home so I don’t usually hang out, but sometimes I visit my friends at Wits and chill for a few minutes then go back home.

GB: What is your favourite label?
WK: Diesel, yes whenever I am wearing that label I feel I am Willard Katsande. I feel that I am smart wearing that label.

GB: You are married right, how many kids do you have?
WK: Yes I am married to Memory Dowerowe, we got married in 2006, and we have four kids, one boy and three girls and I think we are going to stop when we add baby number five.

GB: Recently, it was your birthday, how did you celebrate?
WK: January disease mahwani, but we managed to have a small braai with my teammates and I had a special dinner with my family.

GB: What was the most expensive gift you received?
WK: Well, they are all special to me and I love every present I got but I think the shopping voucher from Kaizer Chiefs was the most expensive one.

GB: What else do you do outside football?
WK: I also have businesses back home. I have a trucking business in Zimbabwe.

GB: What do you want to say to aspiring young footballers out there?
WK: It’s all about hard work and staying focused. In life you should know what you want and teach yourself how best to get it.
Apart from that I think I want to advise my fellow Zimbabweans that when you make it to play here in South Africa, please try and understand that you are here to play football, do that business and make money and go home.

We are not here to have fun and bear in mind that bhora rinopera, chenjerai kupera musina chamuinacho. – Gemazo Blitz.