Celebrating Dr Kaizer Motaung: The man who changed South African football
The Amakhosi Chairman turns 81 today
Katlego Sekhu
Kaizer Motaung, founder and lifelong chairman of Kaizer Chiefs Football Club, celebrates his 81st birthday on 16 October 2025.
For more than five decades, Motaung has been at the heart of South African football, shaping not only the direction of the club but also leaving a lasting impact on the sport.
Born in Orlando East, Soweto, in 1944, Motaung began his football journey with Orlando Pirates at just 16 before moving abroad to play for the Atlanta Chiefs in the United States.
In 1970, he returned to South Africa with a vision to create a football club that would combine talent development, professional excellence, and community engagement. At 25, with the support of several founding figures, Kaizer Chiefs was born.
Under Motaung’s leadership, Kaizer Chiefs evolved beyond a football team into a cultural phenomenon. The club’s influence extends across South Africa and beyond. Motaung’s contributions have been recognised internationally, earning him the Order of Ikhamanga and induction into the South African Hall of Fame.
Today, Kaizer Chiefs stands as a testament to Motaung’s vision. On his 81st birthday, players, staff, and supporters alike reflect on the legacy of a man whose influence continues to shape South African football.
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