Part 3: Adebayor reveals how his brother held a knife to his throat

Emmanuel Adebayor (AFP)

In Part three, Adebayor shares how his brothers once held a knife to his throat over money issues. 

"SEA, if I decide to bring out the Part 3 today, it is because my brother @Kola Adebayor and my other siblings have decided to talk about our family issues on social medias, through letters to my club, radios…I could write an autobiography and sell it but I decided to share with you here. 
25 years ago, my big older brother Kola went to Germany and he became the hope of our family. We all thought he could change the way we were living. Years after he left Togo, we still had no electricity and no phones. If he wanted to talk to us, he would call the Atlantic Hotel that was very close to our house. We would then run to the hotel reception and talk to him. 

When I got the opportunity to go play football in France for the first time, we needed money to for the flight tickets and other expenses. My brother was nowhere to be found. Only God knows what he was doing in Germany. 

When I arrived in France, I did all the paperwork with my team and they allowed me to stay in the academy. A few months later, my brother wanted to come visit me. I was running out of money and I was living at the academy. Therefore, I had to borrow money so I could pay for his hotel. At that time, my teammate Sega N’diaye from Cameroon was kind enough to lend me some money. I also had to borrow some more money because I had to give my brother some money for his trip back to Germany. Keep in mind he is my older brother.

A couple years later, things started to get better. Thank God, I signed a contract with Metz. Since then, my brother would contact me whenever it was time to pay his bills. Sometimes, he would say his son is sick… I had to get used to all this. 

Again, I was lucky enough to get an offer from Monaco and I signed for the football club. One day, Kola and the late Peter Adebayor came to visit me in Monaco. My two brothers did not let me know they were coming. Someone said “blood is thicker than water” so I took them in. They arrived early in the morning and I was on my way to training. When I came back home, we had a discussion and they wanted to start a car business. Obviously, it involves a lot of money. I told them that I could help them out as soon as I get paid next. At that time, Thierry Mangwa was staying in my apartment because he was struggling with some personal issues and needed a place to stay. One day, I came back from training and he was crying. He never told me why. My brothers could also not explain. Another day, one of my friends Padjoe came to visit me and as he was leaving the house, I believe I offered him about €500. My brother Kola noticed that and was very upset. He was trying to understand why I gave my friend some money right away but not him. My reason was very simple; the money he (Kola) needed was a huge amount of money that I did not carry in my house. We went on and had an argument about it. 

Another day, after training…I was very tired and decided to go take a nap. I woke up and a knife was held to my throat. As I opened my eyes, both of my brothers were there. They were shouting and they claimed that I was wasting their time. Peter was going mad and Kola was supporting. I asked them: “Is this the only way to solve this issue? I yes, then kill me and take the money”. It’s only at that moment that he put the knife down. After all this, I found a way out of my own apartment and I called my parents. My mom suggested that I call the police. That was the only way for me to get back into my house safely… I had training the next day, by the way. So I did what my mom said. Police came and they settled down. Again, “blood is thicker than water”, so I let it go. A few days after, Peter went to visit one of Kola’s friends in Paris. That means I was left in the house with Kola; for my own safety, I found a way to get him the money as soon as I could. Only God knows how much I gave him that day. 

A few months after all this, I went back to Togo and I was surprised when my mom started to ask me why I called the police on my brothers, she continued and said I am the bad person in the family. That is another story I will leave for later… 

Every time I went back home, everyone kept asking me why my brother never visited after all these years. Immediately, I organized a flight for him and he came back to visit the family, at my own expenses. 

On April 22nd 2005, we received some bad news. I received a call and they announced that my father passed away. I was devastated. I called my big brother and told him that we all have to be there. Again I made sure there was a flight ticket ready for him. We all went back home and I took care of everything. A long time before my dad died, he was in the hospital one day and he asked me to make sure his funeral is not a moment of sadness. He wanted us to celebrate his life. I leave it to God to decide if the funeral I organized for my dad was what he wanted. The man who calls himself the “big man” in the family did not contribute to anything. But he still has the boldness to say I do not take care of this family. 

In 2006, I had another big opportunity to go play for Arsenal. Since then, my brother has started to come up with series of false accusations against me. 

On July 22nd, 2013 sad news hit us in the family. My brother Peter Adebayor passed away. His death was sad and I was affected by it. One thing I find difficult to swallow today is that Kola was accusing me of Peter’s death. He is saying that the shop I opened for Peter was not good enough. He kept texting saying that my career would be destroyed. I did everything for Peter when he was alive, I brought him to Metz, and Monaco with me. What can Kola say that he has done for Peter? Nothing. The man did not even show up at the funeral even after all the money I sent for the trip back home. 

He is saying that I also made my mom suffer, but he forgot that when he was in Germany, at some point I was the one always by my mom’s side. As soon as I started to make a living with football, I did everything you could imagine for our mom. That is normal. But my brother is never satisfied. He said I bought a shitty car for my mom. Why can’t he buy a better one? All I want from him is to take his responsibilities. Since I am not doing it right, he should show the example as a big brother. He has been in Germany for more than 20 years, but he never brought our mother there to visit. Even to go back home for a visit is another struggle. All he keeps saying is that my father said I should build a house for each one of them. I don’t think my father said that. Does that even make sense for him or anyone? As a big brother, he is supposed to be doing all that I am doing for the family. He should stop hiding and take his responsibilities. When he came to Europe, he was young enough to become a football player too. Anyways, some people are drivers here but they are able to take care of their families. They even bring their parents and other family members. Why has he not done anything like that but he keeps talking? As a matter fact, he should at least bring Rotimi, Bidemi or his own son Aziz here before talking about “taking care of the family”. Actions are louder than speeches. 

A lot of people are saying that I never went to school, but they forget that it is because we could not afford it. I never blamed my parents for that. But thank God, today I am able to speak more than 3 languages and I can send my daughter to school. I am proud of that. People can accuse me for not going to school, but in the end it is all about who you become and what you teach yourself. It is also about what life teaches you and what you learn from it.

Many times I wanted to give up. Ask my sister Iyabo Adebayor how many times I have called and was ready to commit suicide? I kept these stories for years… But If I die, no one would know my story, no one would learn from it… Some people say I should keep these stories private, but someone has to sacrifice himself; someone has to talk about it. I know people would relate to my story and others would learn from it. For every one who knows me, I’d do anything for my country and my people. 

Final message from the younger brother to the older brother: Quit Smoking and Quit Drinking. That was my story."

New Gauteng e-tolls Prices reduce - 50% reduction

 

1. Registration of drivers:

All cars are deemed registered, but direct registration users will benefit, while indirectly registered motorists will pay more when they renew their licenses at traffic license centres or the Post Office.

2. E-tag tariffs:

All users with e-tags and Sanral accounts will pay:

Class A1 (motorcycles): 18c/km

Class A2 (light vehicles): 30c/km

Class B (medium heavy vehicles): 75c/km

Class C (large heavy vehicles): 150c/km

3. Reduced monthly cap for all users:

Class A1 (motorcycles): R125 (down from R280, 50% discount)

Class A2 (light vehicles): R225 (down from R450, 50% discount)

Class B (medium heavy vehicles): R875 (down from R1750, 50% discount)

Class C (large heavy vehicles): R2 900 (down from R3 500, 17% discount)

4. Infrequent users:

Should visitors only visit Gauteng once or twice a year, they would not pay any toll fees as the first 30 gantry passes in a year are free. Payment is only due on the 31st gantry pass, which will include the cost of the preceding 30 gantry passes.

5. Limit travel cost:

For users who do not pay within 30 days of invoice, they will be liable for double the toll tariff, but new monthly caps will apply as follows:

Class A1 (motorcycles): R250

Class A2 (light vehicles): R450

Class B (medium heavy vehicles): R1 750

Class C (large heavy vehicles): R5 800

6. Discount for outstanding debt:

The discount will be reduced from R1.74/km to 70c/km, a 60% deduction in the discount for outstanding e-toll bills since December 2013. There is no amnesty.

7. Compliance:

Failure to pay tolls will result in motorists’ license discs not being issued until such point as their debt has been repaid.

Big Brother Mzansi Finale: How Mzansi Voted! - R2 million richer NtombiAce with 62% of votes overall (Ace and Ntombi received the most votes and were declared the winners of Big Brother Mzansi Double Trouble. The soulmates received 62.06% of the overall votes followed by K2 and Blue with 29.93% and Mbali and Chelsea received 8.01%)

 

Congratulations Ace and Ntombi!

FULL BIO OF MILLIONAIRE COUPLE

NTOMBI

Describing herself as talkative, kind, sweet, brave and loving, Ntombi thinks that her family would say she is funny, stubborn, always has dreams and always does things in her own way.

Asked what makes her smile, she says her son is her joy, her boyfriend makes her happy and she enjoys receiving attention from people but she doesn't like it when people gossip about her. Ntombi says her hidden talent is that she can rap, sing and beat box.

She identifies Soweto as the best and coolest place in South Africa; and says she's a fan of Orlando Pirates ('I grew up at home black and white') though her boyfriend thinks Chiefs is her favourite team. If she could travel, Ntombi would head to New York because of the 'crazy, super tall buildings'; because 'Manhattan cocktails were invented there' and because she believes it's the home of hip hop.

She loves Kanye West, Notorious B.I.G, DMX, Nicki Minaj, Ciara, Lebo Mathosa, Mafikizolo, AKA and Trompies. She entered Big Brother Mzansi with her boyfriend of five years Ace.

ACE

Ace, who has entered the show with his girlfriend of five years Ntombi, describes himself as a winner and a leader who is clever, streetwise and charming.

He entered the show because he loves Big Brother, has been watching the show for some time, and believes his career in the entertainment industry starts with Big Brother Mzansi: Double Trouble. Ace is expecting to see vibrant young South Africans on the series, to make friends and to entertain viewers. Describing himself as a son of the concrete jungle, he says what would upset him most is not being able to provide for his dependents or himself.

A fan of Kaizer Chiefs who enjoys playing soccer himself, Ace is also a Liverpool and Sharks supporter. His favourite TV shows are Isibaya, Come Dine With Me and The Boondocks while his favourite musicians include Chris Brown, Michael Jackson, ProKid, The Script, Tupac and Brenda Fassie. If he had the opportunity to travel, he'd want see the United Kingdom and the United States

Full, uncooked chicken on a bare, filthy brown floor were seemingly washed down by KFC staff in two images which went viral recently.

A KFC staffer removing poultry from a bucket. Image by: Facebook/Mfumo Bamazza

 

KFC staff hosing down chicken on the floor. Image by: Facebook/Mfumo Bamazza

The person who posted the images, Mfumo Bamazza received the pictures from an anonymous Johannesburg resident who photographed them from his Clifton Heights flats balcony in Braamfontein.

In the two images, men wearing red t-shirts and navy blue pants can be seen using a hose to stream large amounts of water onto the chicken which is laid bare on the floor. The uncooked poultry pieces are contained in buckets in one image with blood and water streaming down the ground. The background looks like a warehouse where KFC deliveries are stored.

Bamuzza captioned the pic: "KFC Braamfontein comrades!!! This is how they wash your meat. On the ground!!!!! Photocred goes to a south point (Clifton Heights) resident. #knowwhatyoueat." He added he was a regular customer whose 'heart stopped' when he saw the images.

The pictures went viral and were shared over 2000 times.  KFC South Africa issued a short statement on Twitter saying: "We’re aware of the incident in Braamfontein & take the preparation of our food seriously. We’re currently investigating this further."

The store has been closed until further notice as KFC investigates.

Mcebo Dlamini, Wits’ SRC president, has responded to the statement issued by Wits Vice Chancellor (VC) Professor Adam Habib in which Habib’s condemned Dlamini’s recent ‘Adolf Hitler’ comments on a Facebook post.

Mcebo Dlamini, Wits’ SRC president, has responded to the statement issued by Wits Vice Chancellor (VC) Professor Adam Habib in which Habib’s condemned Dlamini’s recent ‘Adolf Hitler’ comments on a Facebook post. Habib has also referred “Mcebo Dlamini for investigation to see whether disciplinary charges should be brought against him in this regard”.

The unedited version of the statement is reproduced below: 

“Wits University is an anti-black space, built on the sweat and back of black mine-workers who are now long forgotten. The University remembers David Webster, Oliver Schreiner, Barney Barnato and hardly remembers Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe, Benedict Wallet Vilakazi, Nelson Mandela, Essop Pahad and many others, alive and others dead.

Wits University privileges white bodies, white thought, white culture and white feelings. In fact, Vice-Chancellor Adam Habib went out of his way campaigning that the university residents are not diverse enough without white students who mostly willingly left residents when more and more black students were allowed into the university.

Professor Habib sent me an email informing me about a formal complaint from “a student and an alumnus about your posting,” and the “charge is of course racism.” He asked that I provide a context of this posting and how I respond to the charge that the posting is racist. I wonder why the Vice-Chancellor asks me to provide context when he has already made a public apology to all white people who are offended by a post I made on my personal Facebook account and subsequently conducted media interviews and expressed his condemnation on my remarks.

Racism is the violent process of black people’s subjugation which requires institutional power to continue the subjugation, something black people in general never had even in the democratic dispensation which gave all whites executive clemency for the mass murder of black people before they even went to court. It’s utterly shocking that given the history of this country that we have not come up with a theoretically coherent view and definition of racism. Racism is not defined to avoid offending white people, so anyone can be a victim, perpetrators become victims and victims become perpetrators. 

How could black people be racist? Even after years of racist violence, they met in Kliptown and declared South Africa belongs to all, black and white.

Aldolf Hitler like all whites is no friend to black people but I fail to separate him as a freak of nature from the rest of white people. White people came to Africa to enslave black people, an underestimation of 2.5 million died on their way to America. Not a single person has taken responsibility for this genocide. Black people were violently dispossessed by whites of their land, humanity and dignity through capitalist colonial, exploitation, apartheid and structural racism. No one has taken responsibility for this genocide committed by whites.

History teaches us, that our collective experience as black people with whites have always dehumanized us, robbed us of our dignity, reduced us into permanent visitors in our own land, turned us into migrant labour, perpetual beggars and living copse.

Interestingly during the Rhodes Must Fall campaign and the subsequent defacing of other colonial statures, the public discourse did not highlight the atrocities committed against black people by these white colonialists. The black people that found the statures offensive and the ideas of white superiority they represented were labeled as senseless barbaric criminals who should be arrested. The justification was that despite the white supremacist ideas which these individuals held and the violent land grabs they committed, its heritage and should be preserved. In fact, a handful of whites chained themselves onto the statures prepared to die or harm anyone who dares touch their “history.”

I wonder why Professor Habib did not send a public apology to us black people when a fourth year law student Sinethemba Memela was told by a white student “I will fuckin’ kill you, you black bitch!” when she confronted the student about mocking the accent of a black lecturer? Is it because it was a black student who was racially abused? I wonder why he has not written a public apology to our outrage at the fact that at least 30 black workers outsourced to MJL electrical, a white company by the university have not been paid in months or that they’re not allowed into the library if they want to read and not even allowed to use the public toilets they maintain?

I also wonder how whites in their collective conciseness justify their privilege generated out of the indignity, dehumanization and exploitation of black people. Do they think it’s a coincidence that wherever the white/black dynamic exists, the white is always at the top and black at the bottom or is it because they, all of them in their collective consciousness believe in their supposed superiority and hard work and that black people are simply lazy.

I fear that Wits University punishes black radical thought, anyone who dare offends its white established values or offend white Jews will be punished like the 11 heroic students who put their academic careers on the line and challenged university management for bringing its name and values into disrepute by hosting Israeli funded pianist Yossi Reshef.

– SRC president, Mcebo Dlamini.”