Renowned journalist and award-winning author Hosea Ramphekwa has pulled back the curtain on one of South African football’s most polarizing figures with the release of his latest book, Pitso Mosimane: Cry Baby or Misunderstood Genius? Retailing at R350, the biography dives deep into the psyche, passion, and paradoxes of the legendary coach.
We sat down with Ramphekwa to explore the inspiration behind the provocative title, the meticulous writing process, and the revelations he uncovered about Mosimane—a man who has both captivated and confounded fans across the continent.
About the Book and Writing Process
What inspired you to write a book about Pitso Mosimane specifically?
Ramphekwa: Mosimane’s rise in the football world as a coach has been a source of inspiration. I just couldn’t resist the urge to pen this book using Mosimane as a canvas on which I paint a picture of hope for South Africans to draw inspiration in their quest for a better life. People from different walks of life can find much needed inspiration from Mosimane’s coaching journey. I sought and wrought out the pearls of wisdom for them with this book.
How did you decide on the provocative title, “Cry Baby or Misunderstood Genius?”
Ramphekwa: All my book titles are thought provoking. The aim is always to raise curiosity and lure people to read. The titling of the books is consistent with my creative nature. My other titles are – Gifted, Hunted and Haunted; WaitToBeSeated and A YellowBone With A Black Heart.
What was the most challenging part of researching and writing this book?
Ramphekwa: This book project has been in the pipeline for five years. A lot has changed. I have to write and rewrite to ensure that it reflects the latest developments and
Mosimane’s evolution. It’s always challenging because things and people change in the process. Some people passed on during the period of writing the book. Change is constant and certain, so you have to adapt, and I found that challenging.
Did you have any direct interviews with Pitso Mosimane, or was the book based on secondary sources?
Ramphekwa: In the process of writing this book, my interactions with Mosimane were in press conferences and mixed zone setup. I have covered Mosimane over the years and have had countless conversations and interviews with him. Some of those have been included in the book. I have also talked to people who have worked with him as in management and coaching.
How did you ensure a balanced portrayal of such a complex and sometimes polarizing figure?
Ramphekwa: The content in this book was amassed through a variety of sources – direct interviews, press conferences, books, newspaper articles, broadcast interviews and social media posts. Meticulous work was done to present a balanced and well researched portrayal of a man who, at times, exhilarates and infuriates concurrently.
About Pitso Mosimane
What do you think is the most misunderstood aspect of Pitso Mosimane’s personality or coaching style?
Ramphekwa: Mosimane’s passion for the game is so deep. Most people may battle to understand that. He lives for the game. He would do anything and everything to ensure that he emerges victorious in a football match. In his world, there only one possibility – win. He would fight anyone, from presidents to ballboys, in order to win.
In this quest for victory, Mosimane might hurt or harm people, not out of malice but from a burning desire to win. His emotions, outbursts or euphoric celebrations, stem from his desire to win. Winning is the only thing Mosimane cares about. He doesn’t fight people because he likes fighting. He fights because he likes to win.
How has Mosimane’s leadership style evolved over the years, especially across different countries and clubs?
Ramphekwa: Mosimane has managed players from different backgrounds and cultures. He has had to adjust. While coaching in South Africa, at SuperSport and Sundowns, Mosimane was cast into the role of a father figure as a coach. However, at Al Ahly he was more of a partner than a father. The coaching dynamics are way too different. At Sundowns and SuperSport, the players needed him and at Al Ahly he needed the players. Inevitably his ways had to be adaptable to his environment.
What role do you think his South African identity plays in his coaching philosophy and public perception?
Ramphekwa: Mosimane hails from Soweto where football is played in a creative and expressive way. His identity, as a South African, is visible in the teams that he coaches. His brilliance lies with combining the creative African flair with the European organisational aspect of the game. In North Africa, players are more astute technically and he is able to combine the kasi flavour, African discipline and European tactics to form his philosophies. He is adaptable in that he goes the route that is more convenient for the purposes of amassing success. He can find comfort anywhere in the world and he is willing to learn in whatever culture of circumstances.
Were there any surprising or lesser-known stories about Mosimane that you uncovered during your research?
Ramphekwa: There were a lot of stories about Mosimane which are not in the public domain that I managed to uncover. I had a conversation with a man who gave Mosimane his first coaching lesson about 25 years ago. He predicted that Mosimane will go straight to the top. His former players gave me insight on his tactical genius. There are so many stories that will make readers see Mosimane in a different light.
How do you think Mosimane’s legacy will influence the next generation of African football coaches?
Ramphekwa: Without a doubt. Mosimane has influenced a lot of people to pursue coaching. Most of his former players – Kaiteno Tembu, Surprise Moriri, David Notoane, Thabo September, Wendel Robbinson, Wayne Sandilands, Daine Klate, Hlompho Kekana, Kennedy Mweene, Richard Rantjie and a host of others have become coaches. Even on the African continent, there are people influenced by him. If Mosimane can land in any city anywhere in Africa, there will be people willing to offer him a place to lay his head. He is such an inspirational figure.
Personal Reflections
What did you personally learn from writing this book?
Ramphekwa: I have learnt a lot about the art of writing especially given the nature of the book. It’s an in-depth journalistic analysis piece. It’s analysing the character of Mosimane as a coach and not much is delved into as far as his personal life is concerned. You have to separate things. I also got stretched as a writer.
If Pitso Mosimane were to read your book, what would you hope he takes away from it?
Ramphekwa: That I spent five years on the book should send a message to Mosimane about his enormous stature on the football landscape in Africa and the world. I believe he deserves to be immortalised in a literary sense. The gravity of his inspiration is massive.
Do you see yourself writing more sports biographies in the future? If so, who might be next?
Ramphekwa: South African football is a goldmine of untold stories. I will certainly be writing a few books about and with sporting figures. At the core of my writing and storytelling is the need to inspire hope. There are a number of sports personalities that I am in talks with to collaborate on penning their books.
