He left Orlando Pirates after 16 years of service. The Buccaneers released him at the start of the current DStv Premiership campaign. He was reported to have turned down the offer of a non-playing role with the club in order to continue playing. Veteran footballer and former Pirates captain, Happy Jele (36) joined Shauwn Mkhize’s team, Royal AM hoping to build a long-term relationship. But after five months at the club, his contract was not renewed. Happy tells ZiMoja that he has been at home, training for what may come next.

LEAVING ROYAL AM AFTER FIVE MONTHS

He joined Royal AM in February but his contract lasted until June and was not renewed. �"It has not been easy but I’ve kept my spirit high and continue to train at home,” he says. �"I have enjoyed my stay there; I had a good time. But things didn’t go the way they were supposed to due to technical errors. I am now training at home on my own, hoping to get a new team soon.”

A FOOTBALL SLUMP

Every year his goal is to play at least 28 games. This year, he did not meet his target. �"I played three games only and that for me is not good, I didn’t achieve the goals that I had set out for myself. I didn’t have a team for some time. When I went to Royal AM, I played three games. I wasn’t happy. But I tried to learn from that. I know God put me in this situation for a reason.”Happy says things have not been easy financially but his greatest joy is the birth of his daughter. �"My daughter’s birth brought so much joy after going through a lot in terms f my career: he says. �"I pray to have a good team, so I have a good job and my kids are well taken care of.” Given the opportunity, Happy says he would return to Orlando Pirates where his career began. �"I have spent half o my age at Pirates. I would definitely go back. Why not? I started my career there. I am still on good terms with the management. I can even offer my experience there behind the scenes to upcoming kids,” he says.

GIVING BACK

A few years ago, Happy also launched his foundation where he gives back to communities and the youth. �"We have been buying uniforms for children and donated funds from our own pockets,” he says. �"We also donated food parcels to families. We are passionate about giving. We want to do things differently but we want to add value to people’s lives.”