Exclusive: Nalumango’s Father Explains Zambia Connection
by Masebe Qina · Soccer LadumaOrlando Pirates youngster Milimo Nalumango has made headlines after switching his international allegiance from Zambia to South Africa, but behind the move is a fascinating family history that helps explain why the highly rated defender previously represented Zambia at junior international level.
Now, in an exclusive conversation with the Siya crew, Nalumango’s father, Dr David Tebogo Nalumango, has opened up about his son’s South African roots, his football journey and how he came to represent Zambia before making the switch to Amajita.
Read: How Pirates Youngster Switched From Zambia To SA Squad
A South African Through and Through
With Milimo Nalumango now part of Raymond Mdaka's South Africa Under-20 squad, his father has provided the full story behind the youngster's remarkable journey — one that spans generations, continents and a surprising case of mistaken national identity.
Dr David Tebogo Nalumango, a medical doctor practising in Johannesburg, traced the family's roots back to South Africa, revealing that his son is in fact a fifth-generation South African.
A Family Rooted in South Africa
"Milimo's grandmother, my late mother, was South African-born in Kimberley, here in South Africa. Her maiden name was Mokgosi. She met my late father while they were studying. She was training to become a nurse, while my late father was training to become a medical doctor in Durban," Dr Nalumango revealed.
"My late father was Zambian. In 1963, my mother joined the ANC as well, and she went into exile in Zambia that same year. I was born in Zambia in 1964. I went to school in Zambia and then did my secondary schooling in Botswana. In 1994, I came back to South Africa. I still had my South African citizenship because of my mother being South African."
We had Milimo with my wife in 2007. This is where it gets complicated. I married a Zambian lady in 1993, but she came to South Africa with me, and we had Milimo in 2007 here in Johannesburg. He has grown up here in South Africa.
Born in Johannesburg, Raised on the Pitch
Dr Nalumango married a Zambian lady in 1993, and the couple had Milimo in 2007 in Johannesburg, where the youngster has grown up and done all his schooling. His football journey began remarkably early.
"He actually started his football career at the age of four at an academy called Brazilian Soccer Schools here in Johannesburg. Mr Nick Aresti and his wife are the ones who started developing Milimo from the age of three. He developed there, and they later changed it to SuperSport Soccer Schools. He joined the Under-13 GDL team, where he became the captain of the SuperSport Academy GDL team," his father explained.
A Family Tragedy Changes the Path
When Milimo was 15 and earmarked for promotion to the Under-17 GDL team, the family suffered a devastating loss when one of his siblings passed away. The tragedy prompted a change of environment, with Milimo sent to Spain and then Germany to continue his football development and schooling.
The Zambian Call-Up
It was in Germany that the confusion began — all because of a surname.
"Because of my surname being Zambian, the Zambian national team asked, 'Who is this boy?' We said, 'No, he is Milimo Nalumango, but unfortunately, he is South African.' Then they asked, 'Is there no Zambian heritage from when he was born?' I said, 'No. When he was born, my wife was still under permanent residency, and she hadn't converted to South African citizenship. So, they said, 'Well, that means he may be able to play for Zambia because his mother happened to be Zambian when he was born,'" Dr Nalumango explained.
She converted to being a South African just a year later, in 2008.
Playing for Zambia on a South African Passport
Milimo was called up to the Zambian Under-17 national team at the age of 15, playing at the AFCON in Algeria — where he featured against Nigeria, South Africa and Morocco. He was later called up to the Zambian Under-20 side at 17, all while travelling on a South African passport.
"All these matches, he was playing for Zambia but travelling on a South African passport. Can you imagine that? Even when they went to Egypt for the Under-20s, some of the technical team members in the South African team asked, 'But why are you playing for Zambia with a South African passport?' Then he had to explain, 'No, because my mom was Zambian when I was born, so apparently I was allowed to play,'" his father added.
From Germany to the UK
As he grew older, Milimo secured a football academy sponsorship to move to the UK last year, continuing his schooling and playing for semi-professional side Plymouth Parkway — where his development continued to catch the eye.
Back Where He Belongs
The turning point came when South Africa held their first Under-20 camp, with Mdaka showing interest in the youngster and eventually calling him into the squad — a move that felt like a homecoming.
"The coach showed a bit of interest and called him in for the last two days, just to see what kind of boy he was, and he liked him. He said, 'No, I need you to come in for the second camp.' So, this is when he was called into this camp. And I'm telling you, my son fitted in like a glove because, obviously, he met all the kids he grew up with, most of the kids from SuperSport. So, yeah, he really settled well," Dr Nalumango said.
Read: Moremi In Line For Pirates Return
A Fifth-Generation South African
Dr Nalumango concluded by summarising the family's deep South African roots — stretching back generations.
"Basically, in summary, his great-grandmother, Mrs Mokgosi, my mother being his grandmother, and myself are all South African. So, he's a fifth-generation South African. I think the only person you can question is his great-great-grandmother, Johanna Mokgosi, who was a German lady who came to settle here in South Africa. That is our family history," he concluded.
Photo: Ayman Aref/BackpagePix