Former Bafana Bafana star Bernard Parker has called for privacy after distancing himself from a viral statement about his love life, as TS Galaxy chairman Tim Sukazi sheds light on his coaching future.
Parker’s personal life came under scrutiny earlier this week after a social media post announced his separation from Kacha Stepanovic after three years together, referring to personal mistakes and “addictions”.
The post prompted widespread discussion, including questions about his previous marriage to Wendy. NOWinSA covered the reaction in our earlier report on Parker’s split statement.
However, sports broadcaster Robert Marawa publicly said Parker had told him he had not had access to his phone for 14 days and had not authored the post.
Parker has since issued a separate statement through the Bernard Parker Foundation.
Parker calls for privacy after viral statement
In his statement dated October 15, Parker said communications attributed to him should only be treated as official if he had confirmed them or they came through an authorised representative.
“I respectfully request that the media and members of the public exercise discretion and refrain from circulating unverified information or speculation about my private life,” he said.
Parker added that he was handling the matter privately, with consideration for the wellbeing of everyone involved, “particularly the children”.
He also said he did not intend to discuss the details publicly at this stage.
Although the statement does not explicitly name the earlier breakup post, Parker’s comments reinforce his position that communications about his private life should not be treated as official without his confirmation or that of an authorised representative.
Sukazi explains timing of Parker’s TS Galaxy exit
The developments come after Parker was absent from the bench for TS Galaxy’s 3-0 defeat to Orlando Pirates on Tuesday, October 13, with Esau Mtsweni taking charge of the team.
Reports had suggested Parker could be demoted amid Galaxy’s difficult start to the 2026/27 Betway Premiership season.
The club has since confirmed changes to its technical setup.
Speaking to SABC Sport, chairman Tim Sukazi said the timing of the coaching changes and public attention on Parker’s private life was coincidental.
“We’re also quite surprised when we saw the long statement coming from his social media account,” Sukazi said, adding that clubs generally do not involve themselves in employees’ personal affairs.
Suzuki said Parker had already been offered a reserve league coaching role before his departure.
Mtsweni, who coached against Pirates, was promoted to assistant coach in the senior setup.
He also revealed that Parker had discussed continuing his coaching qualifications abroad, offering a possible indication of his next steps in football.
What next for Parker’s football career?
Despite the uncertainty surrounding Parker’s departure, Sukazi made it clear that he wants the former striker to remain involved in football.
“We want Bernard Parker to live within the game of football. He’s a legend to our country,” he said, adding that TS Galaxy would remain open to opportunities for him.
Parker’s next move remains unclear. His immediate future could involve further coaching education, while TS Galaxy continues to reshape its technical setup.
For more updates, follow NOWinSA’s South African football coverage.
