Who is Jessica Motaung? Her career, influence, and personal life
Jessica Motaung is a trailblazer in the South African sports industry. While celebrating her 25 years of working at AmaKhosi in August 2023, the club recognized her role in empowering women.
As a woman in a predominantly male-dominated industry, Jessica's presence and achievements have broken barriers and inspired countless women to pursue careers in sports management.
Source: Twitter
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key takeaways
- Jessica is active in the family business as Kaizer Chiefs’ long-term marketing director.
- She started her career as a model and represented South Africa at the 1997 Miss World pageant.
- The AmaKhosi heiress has twin sons, and her son Ken is an upcoming soccer star who will carry on the family name.
Jessica Motaung’s profile summary
| Full name | Jessica Dineo Motaung |
| Date of birth | August 23, 1973 |
| Age | 51 years old as of February 2025 |
| Residence | Johannesburg |
| Nationality | South African |
| Heritage | Zulu |
| Height | 5 feet 9 inches (1.75 m/175 cm) |
| Children | Donald, Kenneth Simmons III |
| Parents | Kaizer Motaung, Valeta Julegka |
| Siblings | Kaizer Junior, Kemiso, Thabo, and Bobby |
| Profession | Sports executive, former model |
| Net worth | Approx. $9.1 million (around R166 million) |
Jessica Motaung’s father is a South African soccer legend
Jessica’s father, Kaizer Motaung, played professional soccer in South Africa and the United States. He started his career with the Orlando Pirates before signing with the Atlanta Chiefs and the Denver Dynamos of the North American Soccer League.
The Soweto native founded the Kaizer Chiefs in 1970. He also helped form the Premier Soccer League (PSL) in 1996 and is a top executive in SAFA. While celebrating her dad’s 80th birthday in October 2024, Jessica told The Star,
I am so blessed to have had the time with him. He has evolved as a dad. He was a very strict dad at the beginning but always chilled and always an empowering person. A very great listener, very observant, a very kind dad, and also very engaging – that’s one of the things I appreciate, engaging him in intellectual discussions and always educating.
Source: Original
Jessica Motaung and her siblings are active in the family business
Jessica is the third of five children born to Kaizer Motaung and his wife Valeta. Her eldest brother, Thabo (born in 1969), was a businessman. He unfortunately passed away in 2012 at the age of 43.
Her brother Bobby Motaung (born in 1970) serves as Kaizer Chief’s manager. Jessica’s younger brother, Kaizer Junior (born in 1981), is the club’s sporting director, while her sister, Kemiso, heads the club’s digital department.
Jessica serves as AmaKhosi’s marketing and commercial director, a position she has held since 2003. Nepotism has been an ongoing concern among fans who feel the club needs outside help to restore its former glory. The club last won a major trophy during the 2014/2015 season.
Source: Getty Images
Jessica Motaung’s role in advancing women’s sports
The AmaKhosi heiress was appointed to the CAF Women’s Committee in 2021 and later joined SAFA’s Women’s Committee in early 2023. In May 2022, she was appointed to the Confederation of African Football’s Organizing Committee for Women's Football Standing Committee.
Jessica and Kaizer Chiefs plan to establish a women’s team. In February 2024, she explained to SABC Sports why they have faced delays in forming a club.
It's very challenging to have any club, whether it's a men's club or women's club – or just a youth club. You need the funding, you need the facilities, you need all sorts of things.
Jessica Motaung was Miss South Africa – First Princess
Before joining the family business in 1998, Jessica participated in beauty pageants. She was named Miss SA First Princess and Africa’s Queen of Beauty in 1997 after losing the Miss SA crown to Kerishnie Naicker. She also represented South Africa at the 1997 Miss World pageant.
Source: Getty Images
Jessica Motaung worked in show business
The AmaKhosi heiress briefly worked in media in 1998 as a presenter on Speak Out, an SABC 1 investigative news programme. She also co-owned a production company called JAKE Productions. In her 2022 Mzansi Magic interview, she revealed that being an entertainment entrepreneur helped her fit into her marketing role at Kaizer Chiefs.
Is Jessica Motaung married?
Jessica Motaung’s husband is said to be Ken Simmons, but she mainly keeps her personal life hidden from the spotlight. The couple made headlines in 2011 after cheating allegations came to light.
Sowetan Live revealed at the time that Jessica and Ken broke off their long engagement after Ken accused her of having an affair with Chiefs employee Thato Matuko. They both denied the allegations. Jessica Motaung reportedly moved out of their Bryanston house with their kids.
Source: Twitter
Jessica Motaung’s children
Motaung and Ken Simmons welcomed twin sons, Kenneth Simmons III and Donald Simmons, in January 2006. Kenneth is following in his family's footsteps as an upcoming football star.
Ken played for the Wanderers Warriors before joining Kaizer Chief’s U17 squad. His mother was initially against the idea of him playing for the Chiefs because of all the pressure. Donald chose to enter the entertainment industry as a singer.
Source: Twitter
Why Jessica Motaung was dragged into Siya Kolisi’s divorce scandal
In October 2024, Springboks captain Siya Kolisi and his wife of eight years, Rachel Kolisi, announced they were ending their marriage. Social media was quick to speculate that unfaithfulness was the reason for their divorce.
Resurfaced pictures of Siya and Jessica being ‘too comfortable’ fuelled the affair rumours. The rugby star had previously confessed in his memoir, Rise, that he was once addicted to a life of partying and reckless spending until Rachel intervened.
Source: Twitter
Jessica Motaung’s biography reflects her commitment to building a lasting legacy. She continues to be an influential presence in South African sports.
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Source: Briefly News
Peris Walubengo (Lifestyle writer) Peris Walubengo is a content creator with 5 years of experience writing articles, researching, editing, and proofreading. She has a Bachelor of Commerce & IT from the University of Nairobi and joined Briefly.co.za in November 2019. The writer completed a Google News Initiate Course. She covers bios, marketing & finance, tech, fashion & beauty, recipes, movies & gaming reviews, culture & travel. You can email her at perisrodah254@gmail.com.
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