Former football stars Teko Modise, Brighton Mhlongo and Linda Mntambo are raising the standard of sports storytelling with their podcast “The Carwash”, which focuses on honest conversations about football, life and the pressures that come with professional sport.
Image: Supplied
Teko Modise discussed his reasons for co-hosting the show "The Carwash" alongside Brighton Mhlongo and Linda Mntambo in an "Independent Media Lifestyle" interview.
He explained, "I wanted to drive a certain narrative based on the experiences that I have had and the exposure that I have had in South African football.”
The former Bafana Bafana captain explained that the aim is to use lived experience to shape conversations that reflect the realities of professional football, including pressure, fame and personal challenges that are often not discussed publicly.
Modise said that the intention is not only to speak about football, but to support those still in the game.
“I wanted to be the other guy on the other side with a voice that actually encourages the players that are playing, and not just encouraging them by words, but also by action,” he said.
He added that his goal is to be accessible to players who need guidance, whether it relates to football or personal matters.
“Being that guy that they can rely on for advice or the person they can come to for personal or football-related issues, because unfortunately, I had to deal with those things myself,” he said.
He reflected on how the lack of mentorship shaped his outlook.
“I can just imagine if I had someone who went through the same thing and who experienced the same things, it would’ve made a world of difference."
"So for me, it was just to utilise that gap, that experience and expertise to really reach into that and be the guy that speaks well about football and encourages more people to express themselves fully,” he said.
Former football stars Teko Modise, Brighton Mhlongo and Linda Mntambo are raising the standard of sports storytelling with their podcast “The Carwash”, which focuses on honest conversations about football, life and the pressures that come with professional sport.
Image: Supplied
Speaking about the pressures of professional football, Modise said that the podcast focuses on realities that are often hidden from fans.
“I think for me to use ‘carwash' is to speak about things that footballers go through and that fans don't get to see or experience,” he said.
He added that players often do not have a platform to speak openly about expectations, criticism and personal struggles.
“We never really had a voice as sports personalities or from a footballer's point of view,” he said.
He said the aim is to normalise honest discussion.
“We are just trying to create a conversation, create a safe space for footballers to go and listen to us or actually watch us if they want to,” he said.
“There is power in saying that you're not the first one who's going through that. Just know that there is somebody just like you who went through this all.”
Modise highlighted the chemistry between the three hosts, saying that their shared background strengthens the podcast.
“We’re from the same hood. We can speak the Kasi language, and we can understand each other. We all played for big teams, which is not a common thing,” he said.
He added that their different experiences still connect through football.
“We are cool with each other off the podcast. We have different lifestyles, different views of how life is after football,” he said.
He said that honesty remains central to the project.
“It is your story, and you never know how many people it may touch or how many people it may change and encourage and inspire. That’s why we’re doing this podcast,” he said.