Kaizer Motaung’s bio: his life, family, and football legacy
Kaizer Motaung is a South African retired professional footballer and the founder of Kaizer Chiefs FC. He formed the club immediately after retiring from playing international soccer. Since its establishment, Amakhosi has won more than 90 trophies, establishing itself among the best teams in South Africa.
Source: UGC
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Key takeaways
- Kaizer Motaung's profile summary
- Who is Dr. Kaizer Motaung?
- What is the full name of Kaizer Motaung?
- When was Kaizer Motaung born?
- Who are Dr. Kaizer Motaung's parents?
- What is Kaizer Motaung's age?
- Career history
- Who is Kaizer Motaung's first wife?
- What do Kaizer Motaung's children do for a living?
- Who is Kaizer Motaung's firstborn?
- Who is the youngest child of Kaizer Motaung?
- Who is Kaizer Motaung's second wife?
- How much is Kaizer Motaung worth?
- Kaizer Motaung's house and cars
- Who is richer between Irvin Khoza and Kaizer Motaung?
- Why is Nabi leaving Kaiser Chiefs?
- Fun facts about Kaizer Motaung
Key takeaways
- Kaizer made his professional debut for Orlando Pirates in 1961 at the age of 16.
- He was the youngest player to debut for the Buccaneers at that time.
- In 1968, Motaung was noticed by former West Ham United player Phil Woosnam and Cecil, the Atlanta Chiefs' founder and owner.
- He later joined the Atlanta Chiefs in 1968 before returning to South Africa to found Kaizer Chiefs.
Kaizer Motaung's profile summary
Full name | Kaizer Motaung |
Nickname | Chincha Guluva |
Gender | Male |
Birthdate | 16 October 1944 |
Age | 81 years (as of 2025) |
Birth sign | Libra |
Birthplace | Soweto, South Africa |
Nationality | South African |
Ethnicity | African |
Religion | Christianity |
Sexuality | Straight |
Height | 6'1" (186 cm) |
Father | Ceyland Motaung |
Mother | Mapontsho Motaung |
Brothers | 4 |
Sisters | 4 |
Marital status | Married |
Spouse | Valeta Motaung |
Sons | 3 |
Daughters | 2 |
Profession | Soccer club owner and a former footballer |
Net worth | $60 million |
Who is Dr. Kaizer Motaung?
Dr. Kaizer Motaung is a South African football icon, known for founding the popular Kaizer Chiefs Football Club in 1970 and serving as its chairman to date.
After a successful playing career, including a stint with the Atlanta Chiefs in the US and a legendary role at Orlando Pirates, Kaizer built Kaizer Chiefs into a highly successful team and a major force in South African soccer.
Under his leadership, Kaizer Chiefs became the most successful club in South Africa, known for revolutionizing professional football management and community outreach.
Kaizer's legacy extends to his significant contributions to the development of soccer in South Africa and his recognition with honorary doctorates for his impact on sports and society.
What is the full name of Kaizer Motaung?
His full name is Kaizer Motaung. He earned the nicknames "Chincha Guluva" or "Shintsha Guluva" because of his dazzling and skillful footwork as a player, particularly his ability to dribble past opponents with both feet.
Kaizer Motaung's nicknames mean "The man with quick feet" or "tricky customer." They emerged from his time in America playing for the Atlanta Chiefs.
Source: Original
When was Kaizer Motaung born?
He was born on 16 October 1944 in Orlando East, Soweto.
Who are Dr. Kaizer Motaung's parents?
His parents were Ceyland and Mapontsho Motaung. They raised Kaizer in Orlando, Soweto, alongside his four brothers and four sisters.
What is Kaizer Motaung's age?
The Amakhosi football administrator is 81 years old as of 2025.
Career history
His love for soccer dates back to the 1960s. During this time, football was a great deal more than rugby in the country. As a young and talented boy, Motaung was selected to play for the Orlando Pirates.
Kaizer played for the team for a significant time before the Atlanta Chiefs' managers noticed him. In 1968, he was recruited by the Atlanta Chiefs as a forward to represent them in the North American Soccer League (NASL).
Interestingly, he scored a goal in his first match between the Atlanta Chiefs and Manchester City. During that season, Motaung appeared in fifteen games and scored sixteen goals.
As a result of this achievement, he was voted "Rookie of the Year" and gained a place on the NASL's All-Star Team. Kaizer left the Atlanta Chiefs in 1971 and returned to the NASL (North American Soccer League) to play two seasons with the Denver Dynamos between 1974 and 1975.
Source: UGC
After that, he returned to his country. This time, Kaizer came up with different ideas to change the South African perspective of soccer. The soccer supremo decided to start his team, the Kaizer Chiefs, in the 70s.
Since its formation, the club has won a total of 93 trophies as of October 2025, including 12 league championships, 14 Nedbank Cups, 13 Telkom Knockout titles, and 15 MTN8 trophies.
Kaizer Chiefs are the most decorated club in South Africa, having also secured one continental trophy: the CAF Cup Winners' Cup in 2001.
Kaizer Chiefs FC's main nicknames are Amakhosi and the Phefeni Glamour Boys. "Amakhosi" means "chiefs" or "lords" in Zulu, while "Phefeni Glamour Boys" originated from the club's founder's insistence on the players having a professional and stylish appearance.
What percentage of Kaizer Chiefs does Kaizer Motaung own?
Kaizer Motaung owns a majority stake in Kaizer Chiefs, with sources stating he holds 65% of the shares. The remaining 35% is owned by Mike Nkuna, who partnered with Motaung through the building of Naturena Village.
Source: UGC
Kaizer Motaung's achievements
Aside from establishing Kaizer Chiefs, which became one of South Africa's most successful football clubs and a globally recognized brand, Motaung has attained these notable accomplishments:
- He earned the NASL Rookie of the Year award in 1968 while playing for Orlando Pirates.
- He co-founded the South African Premier Soccer League (PSL) in 1996 with Irvin Khoza. Together, they attracted more sponsors to support the league.
- He was a key member of the bid committee that secured the 2010 FIFA World Cup for South Africa and served on the local organizing committee for the event.
- He is a member of the SAFA's executive committee and the PSL's Board of Governors.
- He received an honorary doctorate in Social Sciences from the University of Cape Town in 2022 and a Doctor of Commerce from Wits University in 2025.
- He was awarded the National Order of Ikhamanga (Silver) in 2013 for his excellent contributions to the football industry.
- He received the Entrepreneurial Leadership Award in 2004 and a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2015.
Source: UGC
Who is Kaizer Motaung's first wife?
His first and only wife is Valeta Motaung, and their children are Kaizer Motaung Junior, Bobby, Jessica, Kemiso, and Thabo (deceased). The couple also has several grandchildren.
Kaizer's Bobby Motaung divorced his wife of 20 years, Eshler, and reportedly paid a R2.2 million settlement from his pension fund in August 2025. He is the father of three children, Nthabiseng, Moagi, and Lehlohonolo.
The other son, Kaizer Motaung Jr., also divorced his first wife, Katherine Heider, in 2019, but has since remarried. He is the father of Tyler Rhys Motaung. Meanwhile, the Amakhosi owner's daughter, Jessica, has two sons, Kenneth Harlan Simmons III & Dillan Solomons.
What do Kaizer Motaung's children do for a living?
Kaizer Motaung's children are following in his footsteps. Kaizer Motaung Junior no longer plays for the Kaizer Chiefs; he is now the club's Sporting Director.
He retired from professional football and moved into the executive role, where he manages the club's sporting operations. Before his retirement, Motaung Jr. played for Wits University and Kaizer Chiefs youth academies in South Africa and Chelsea and TSV Munich 1860 juniors in England and Germany.
Jessica is the club's Marketing and Commercial Director, Kemiso led the club's women’s team launch in 2022, and Bobby holds a key position at the club.
Who is Kaizer Motaung's firstborn?
His firstborn son, Thabo Motaung, was born in 1969 but succumbed to death in 2019 at the age of 43. According to Bobby, his brother died after struggling with Meningitis for a long time.
Source: UGC
Who is the youngest child of Kaizer Motaung?
Kaizer Motaung Junior is his youngest child, but people often mistake his daughter, Kemiso, due to her physique, as the last child of Dr. Kaizer Motaung and his wife, Valeta. According to Sunday World's June 2025 publication, she said in a video:
Kaizer Motaung Junior is the one who is the baby. I don't mind being called the youngest, though. It means my genes are good, like my parents.
Kemiso Motaung's age is unknown, but according to a Facebook post, her birthday was on 3rd July.
Who is Kaizer Motaung's second wife?
He has only one wife, Valeta Motaung. Kaizer Motaung's wife's photos are rarely seen online due to her love for privacy.
How much is Kaizer Motaung worth?
Kaizer Motaung's net worth has been estimated at R1.1 billion ($60 million). Apart from his former football career, he became rich primarily through the creation and management of the Kaizer Chiefs football club, which has grown into a powerful brand and multi-million dollar business.
Motaung's wealth is also derived from other business ventures through his companies, Kaizer Investment Holdings and Kaimot Investments.
Additionally, his involvement in football administration, including co-founding the South African Premier League (PSL), helped professionalize the sport and attract more sponsorship money.
Source: UGC
Kaizer Motaung's house and cars
Kaizer Motaung's family home is in Phefeni, Soweto, which is historically significant as the location where he founded the Kaizer Chiefs FC. In 2020, the family acquired a piece of land across the street from the home for a community-focused project.
The Amakhosi football administrator also reportedly owns a family home in Peteni, Soweto, and has a lounge within Naturena's Chiefs Village.
Meanwhile, a significant portion of Kaizer Motaung's vehicle access comes from a partnership with Toyota, which provides his football club with a fleet of 20 vehicles, including a range of cars and minibuses.
His son, Bobby, has been featured showcasing his R3.9 million home and premium vehicles, according to posts on Facebook. One report from 2017 mentioned him being associated with a Bentley Continental GT.
Who is richer between Irvin Khoza and Kaizer Motaung?
With an estimated net worth of $60 million, Kaizer Motaung of the Amakhosi FC is richer than Irvin Khoza, Orlando Pirates FC owner, whose net worth is alleged to be $35 million. The two are among the richest soccer club owners in South Africa.
Source: UGC
Why is Nabi leaving Kaiser Chiefs?
Head coach Nasreddine Nabi left the club to focus on his family. He explained:
My separation from Kaizer Chiefs was mutual with the management, after a successful and challenging experience. Now, I need some time to rest and take care of my family, especially to monitor my wife's health.
Fun facts about Kaizer Motaung
- He earned the nickname "Chincha Guluva" during his playing days.
- He made his debut for the Atlanta Chiefs against Manchester City.
- He turned down an offer worth $1 million to stay at the Atlanta Chiefs.
- He named his club Kaizer Chiefs after himself and in honor of his former American team, the Atlanta Chiefs.
Kaizer Motaung is respected for his integrity and for advocating for stability in the sport, often speaking out against the ease with which clubs can be bought and sold. He also encourages young people to take calculated risks in pursuit of their dreams and continues to inspire future generations.
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Source: Briefly News
Peris Walubengo (Lifestyle writer) Peris Walubengo has vast experience in search engine optimization through digital content generation, research, editing, and proofreading. She joined Briefly.co.za in November 2019 and completed the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques. You can email her at perisrodah254@gmail.com.
Rodah Mogeni (Lifestyle writer) She is a content creator with more than 4 years of experience. She graduated from Chuka University with a BA degree in Journalism and Mass Communication (2023). She joined Briefly in 2019. Rodah has been working as a health/fitness writer at BetterMe (since 2020), London Brokers, The Hoth, and Ardor Content. In 2023, Rodah finished the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques. Her email is rodahmugeni998@gmail.com
