Kermit Romeo Erasmus

Born in July 1990 to Delise and Jerome in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, Kermit’s rise has been nothing short of meteoric. Growing up in Arkadia, a township on the outskirts of one of SA2010’s host cities, was not an easy life. Crime and unemployment are two paths that trap many youths in the area. But with his stong and supportive parents and a big sister looking out for him, Kermit’s first tentative steps into the world were guided by a sense of family that would provide him with the best opportunities available to him.

His formative years were framed by the apartheid regime that was coming to an end when he first learned to kick a football. No sooner had Nelson Mandela been released from prison than Kermit was smashing balls past his ever-encouraging father as they enjoyed playing together in the front yard.

Despite his diminutive size, Kermit excelled at sports at school. His former teachers speak of a growing boy who never shirked a challenge and always sought improvement. By 11 he was already being noticed by major academies in Africa’s richest country.

Soon enough, agent Ashley Kotzin spotted him playing locally in PE. Sitting with his parents and exploring his potential it was agreed that Kermit should join the SuperSport Academy outside Johannesburg. Leaving his family at such a tender age was not an easy decision, but one that would soon be vindicated. Kermit’s talent immediately shone through and over the next few years propelled him to the top of his academy class. At 17 Kermit was promoted to the SuperSport United first team and helped them to win the South African PSL for the first time in their history.

Already the young Erasmus was changing the face of South African football, and as we see in Soka Afrika, this would not be the first time Kermit would help make history. Part 2 to follow…Kermit heads for Europe…