Speaking to Mmegi Sport this week, Makwala who turns 37 in September, said although “a man cannot say it’s enough”, he has been prudent with his earnings from the track.
“The first thing on my mind was a house. That was always my focus, no other side issues. There was no one advising me. When I came to Gaborone, I used to stay with my sister and when I got significant earnings in 2015, I bought a house in Tsholofelo,” Makwala said.
He also has a multi-residential property in Tlokweng and is building his cattle and goat stock in his home village, Tutume.
In addition, Makwala was a recipient of a two-bedroom apartment from the government after he led the 4x400m relay team to a bronze medal at last year’s Olympic Games. He said he was inspired by former world champion compatriot, Amantle Montsho to venture into a real estate business.
“Even if she does not know it, she has inspired me a lot. I didn’t tell her, I just observed what she was doing. I used to drop her in Block 7 (Gaborone), and she would show me her houses, then inwardly I said I want to be like her, if not (own) more,” he said.
Makwala said he regularly spoke to other upcoming and established athletes about the need to invest.
He said he has managed his finances despite the absence of a financial advisor. Makwala said he has done enough to have something to fall back on post his athletics career.
“You can never say it’s enough, but where I am, looking at where I am coming from, I would say I am okay,” he said.
In April 2022, Makwala inked a deal to become brand ambassador for car dealer, Capital Motors, which specialises in the BMW brand.
He has a biography, ‘The Solo Runner’ authored by academic, Dr Tshepang Tshube, which he said is doing well on online retailer, Amazon.
