Thabo September has publicly clarified his decision to decline the assistant coaching position at Durban City, stating he is instead dedicating his efforts to a long-term community development project he owns in the Eastern Cape.
September, a well-known figure in South African football, most recently held multiple roles at Chippa United, including assistant coach and a stint as interim co-head coach.
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His coaching career began in 2020 at SuperSport United after retiring as a player, where he worked under Gavin Hunt, who is now the head coach at Durban City.
Despite being reportedly offered the chance to reunite with his former mentor, Gavin Hunt, in the Betway Premiership this season, September chose a different path.
He has opted to focus his energies on building a club that is capable of self-sufficiency and significant community impact.
September detailed his ambitious venture to FARPost, explaining: “I own an ABC Motsepe League team in the Eastern Cape, Komani United.”
He views the club as more than just a football team, describing it as “a project that I started while I was still at Chippa United. It’s something that really can change the area, the community and that will benefit the country in the long run.”
Leveraging Experience for Sustainable Growth
September’s decision is rooted in a comprehensive understanding of football club management, which goes beyond the technical aspects of coaching.
“Before I even turned pro, I completed my Diploma in Sports Management. My dad owned an ABC team back in the day, and I was part of that.
Turning pro, I observed how things are done professionally, learned what needs to be there for the players, and how to make a team work together and manage a team.
I worked at SuperSport in the marketing space, so I’ve touched almost all areas of football.”
“[It’s a model] where you work on development. You develop your own players and sell players to bigger teams, you grow through that, reinvest the money into the club, and make sure that the club grows,” he added.
By declining a high-profile assistant role, Thabo September is making a clear statement: he believes the future of South African football lies in grassroots investment and developing self-sustaining structures that directly benefit local communities.