EX-‘BIRDS’ STAR TURNS TO GRASS CUTTING

MBABANE – The wrath of the COVID-19 pandemic has seen former Mbabane Swallows South African-born star Paito Dube turning to the grass cutting (lawn mowing) business.

Dube, a defensive midfielder, signed by Mbabane Swallows in January 2019 from Denver Sundowns, where he had played for two seasons having joined in 2017 upon his arrival in the country. He was put on transfer by Swallows at the end of last season after the COVID-19 pandemic brought the football season to a halt. Dube now plays for Classic FC in the SAB League in KwaZulu-Natal. He said he started his day by going to work (grass cutting) and attending training later in the afternoon. He said he had big dreams but the COVID-19 pandemic changed all his plans and he decided to then start a business as he has a family to look after.

Alternatives

The former Denver Sundowns defender admitted that life has not been easy for him, especially under the COVID-19 environment. He said he felt pity for football players as they would have to seek other alternatives under the circumstances. Dube advertised his business on his Facebook page and he is available for services around Richards Bay and Empangeni, South Africa. A grass cutter or lawn mower is a person who uses a machine utilising one or more revolving blades to cut a grass surface to an even height. “I had some offers in Lesotho but due to COVID-19 it has been hard for me to go there and I decided then to stay here in South Africa, KZN. I play for the late Rodger Skhakhane’s team, Classic FC, where I earn something but not enough so I decided to go for something that will earn me some money and provide for my family,” he said.

Paito said he was still willing to play professional football and he hoped that one day luck would be on his side. “I have lived by playing football in my entire life but things changed quickly when the COVID-19 pandemic came. I may not have a team today but tomorrow I may sing with a Premier League team and GladAfrica Championship side,” he said.

Provide

Dube said players should not look down upon anything that will provide for their families and they must put pride aside. “My brother I don’t care what people say about my other job as long as I’m able to fend for my family. I’m not ashamed of what I’m doing and I hope others will take some thing positive from this. There are other things I am interested in like coaching and I hope when the right time comes, I will enrol for a CAF licence,” he added. Football players have been hit hard by the COVID-19 as some teams cut their salaries while others applied the no-work no-pay rule. Football was only played for two weeks in the country since March last year when the pandemic hit the whole world.

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