Mere opens up on suicidal thoughts after Sundowns

Mere, who is the longest-serving player in the PSL – having made his professional debut at Hellenic in 2001 – was once at the top of his game, but then found himself clubless and without any options after he was released by Sundowns in controversial circumstances in 2011.

“It was all about my reputation as a bad boy, a party animal, and they didn’t like that. They said it was bad for the club,” he has now reflected in an interview with New Frame.

“I just locked myself in the house. For months I stayed at home. I just didn’t want to go out. Imagine, Vuyo Mere the party animal not wanting to go out. I said to myself this is the end of the world for me. At some point, grootman, I decided you know what, let me end it all. I began to have those suicide notions. Let me just get rid of this burden I am carrying. Let me just go.

“I had so many tablets at my house, grootman, it was like a chemist. At Sundowns you could get all types of painkillers and all tablets. You got everything you needed just to take care of the body. Whenever I went to the doctor I could ask for anything, so I had plenty. Of course, I didn’t know how the suicide thing was done, but I decided I was going to try it and whatever happens, happens.”

The intervention of Mere’s family ultimately prevented him from going through with the act, and he eventually would get a contract with Platinum Stars, where he spent the next seven years, before moving to Wits and Swallows.

However, he also experienced another dramatic departure from Swallows, which reportedly came as a result of actions that were ‘destabilising the team’.

Mere was suspended by the club before for alleged misconduct towards the end of last year, which was expected to lead to his departure from the club, with some speculation suggesting he could retire.

In the latest twist to this story, though, Mere then announced his departure from Swallows after two and half years with the club, and subsequently penned an 18-month deal with TS Galaxy.

Mere, 38, added that he is grateful Galaxy owner Tim Sukazi saw in him “a young boy who can still contribute to the game”.