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Kaizer Chiefs founder and chairman, Kaizer Motaung.
Wits University has bestowed an honorary doctorate on the founder and chairman of Kaizer Chiefs, Kaizer Motaung.
The institution is honouring Motaung for his commitment to promoting education and football, and the uplifting of disadvantaged youth.
In 2022, the University of Cape Town conferred an honorary doctorate in Social Sciences on Motaung.
Wits University has also seen fit to award him an honorary doctorate, conferring the title of Doctor of Commerce.
He founded Kaizer Chiefs at just 27 years old and says he is content with his contribution to the upliftment of ordinary people.
“I’m very proud and happy to be part of this community. I’m no longer the “Chincha Guluva” people used to know as a player. But I can say Kaizer Chiefs determines the happy index of the country. A couple of weeks ago, we won a cup after 10 years or so. The country was in a different mood; it was like there was a World Cup being played. I’m very happy and proud to have contributed to making a lot of people happy.”
Vice-Chancellor and Principal of Wits University, Professor Zeblon Vilakazi, says Motaung’s life is a story on its own.
Vilakazi says, “Take a chance in life, be a creator. Dr Motaung’s life story is in itself a message. He could have just stood there and not said anything, people would have known what he was talking about.”
Motaung, who was also involved in the 2006 and 2010 FIFA World Cup bids, as well as the establishment of the Premier Soccer League, bemoans the trend of buying and selling of PSL status.
“We probably have to bring strict rules that make it difficult for people to just come in just because they acquired some money somewhere, then they buy a status. That is a problem we need to address so that we can be able to stay stable,” adds Motaung.
He appreciates the Amakhosi faithful. “To the Amakhosi supporters, thanks for your passion, loyalty, and dedication,” adds Motaung.
He says youngsters should not be scared to take calculated risks in life.
Motaung climbed these stairways, symbolising that he was taking another step in his illustrious life. He is a trailblazer and his contributions in society are there for all to see, as this year marks 55 years since he founded the Kaizer Chiefs football club.
