Property has proven to be a shrewd investment for some of South Africa’s sporting legends. For some, it has provided a life beyond the white lines, while others have left behind cautionary tales that can nevertheless be valuable lessons for the next generation.
Former Springbok flyhalf Patrick Lambie is a shining example of a player who leveraged his status at the peak of his sporting powers to make waves in the property business.
Lambie retired from rugby at the age of 27 after suffering concussions, including one sustained in a hit from Ireland’s CJ Stander. Now aged 34, Lambie has had success as a property developer and recently built his family home in Seaton Estate near Ballito, as per You Magazine.
2019 Rugby World Cup winner Tendai ‘Beast’ Mtawarira is another former rugby player who made moves in the property industry and his own Dolphin Coast family home was featured on SABC 3 Top Billing in 2018.
Meanwhile, 2004 Olympic gold medallist has taken on a similar, but unique path. He serves as not only a shareholder, but also marketing manager for Val de Vie, a luxury estate in Paarl.
Do Property Investments Always Pay Off For South African Sports Stars?
Property usually proves to be a relatively wise investment. However, not all athletes have the means to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Neethling and Lambie and make a career out of it.
It is worth keeping in mind that the challenges for athletes looking to invest in property may vary according to their own personal situations. Soccer is a sport which has given many athletes a way out of poverty. One of them was Siphiwe Tshabalala, who scored the iconic opening goal of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
‘Shabba’ was born in Soweto and went on to play for their most widely-supported team, Kaizer Chiefs. Currently, it is Orlando Pirates who the soccer betting odds reflect as more likely to challenge Mamelodi Sundowns for the South African Premiership title. However, Amakhosi remain a hugely popular team.
Tshabalala told the South African Football Journalists’ Association (SAFJA) in 2020: “Don’t compare yourself with the next person. Growing up, the advice we would get [from older players] was just common. They would advise in investments [like] buying a house and saving money and that’s where it ends.
“So you would buy a house and then what? You buy a R500,000 house or a R1,000,000 house; then you retire and you’re left with R2,000,000 in your pocket. It’s not going to sustain you. When you retire at 35, you know to 60, it’s still a long time to live a good life.”
Tshabalala was not cautioning against property investments, but rather against the assumption that professional athletes will always be able to survive off property alone.
However, as per The Sowetan, ‘Shabba’ was ultimately another success story, lifting his family out of poverty and buying a property for his parents while also renovating his grandmother’s home.
Conclusion
South African athletes have leveraged their wealth during the height of their careers to get onto the property market. For some, such as Ryk Neethling and Pat Lambie, property was a means to a second career. For others, such as Siphiwe Tshabalala, it was a means to begin a new generational cycle for his family.
It may not be the be all and end all, but for South Africa’s sporting heroes, property has proven to be a wise investment.