Famous faces of South African society gathered at Montecasino in Johannesburg this week to salute Kaizer Motaung, who was inducted into the South African Hall of Fame.
The Kaizer Chiefs founder and chairperson was resplendent in a black tuxedo, leaving no-one in doubt as to who the man of the night was on Thursday.
The ballroom was filled with women in glamorous evening wear, including Motaung’s wife Julegka and daughters Jessica and Kemiso. Past and present Chiefs stars looked swanky in elegant outfits befitting the black-tie dress code.
Programme director Victor Ramathesele was not remiss with his welcoming comment: “We are in the presence of the gods of football.”
Among the guests were Confederation of African Football president Patrice Motsepe and his better half, Precious, as well as South African Football Association (Safa) honorary life president Molefi Oliphant and his wife, Emily.
Also in attendance was former Safa CEO Raymond Hack, as well as previous generations of Chiefs luminaries who charted the club’s path to greatness. The roll call included Vusi “Computer” Lamola, Jan “Malombo” Lechaba, Joseph “Banks” Setlhodi, Lucky Stylianou, Lucas “Rhoo” Radebe, Doctor “16V” Khumalo and Ntsie “Teargas” Maphike.
Caretaker coach Calvin Johnson attended with Amakhosi players, who erupted in song in praise for their chairperson when he ascended the stage to collect his award.
Attendees were in stitches when sports minister Zizi Kodwa jokingly reprimanded staunch Moroka Swallows supporter and Gauteng premier Panyaza Lesufi for wearing a red tie at a do honouring the father of the gold-and-black flock.
Hall of fame chairperson Johnny Burger hailed Motaung as an inspiration for South Africans. “We stand on the shoulders of giants. One of the giants is with us. Kaizer Motaung is not only an inspiration for black people, but for all South Africans. I bow before him. Passion walks hand in hand with perseverance. Perseverance coupled with passion made Kaizer Motaung the man he is today.”
Magnanimous in his acceptance speech, Motaung acknowledged “the people who have walked with me on this journey”, citing Chiefs founding fathers Ratha Mokgoatlheng, Thomas “Zero My Hero” Johnson, Ewert Nene and China Ngema. Late soccer aficionados such as Solomon “Stix” Morewa, Abdul Bhamjee and Cyril Kobus also received a mention.
He paid tribute to his wife “who stood by me all these years”, and handed her a bouquet of flowers as parents and siblings embraced in an emotional family moment on stage.
Motaung also thanked “my friend Irvin Khoza”, who was conspicuously absent.
“He doesn’t like these kinds of gatherings,” whispered a guest about the no-show of the Premier Soccer League and Orlando Pirates chairperson.
Sipho “Hotstix” Mabuse and his band serenaded the audience in between the meal — which included lamb shank served on a bed of mash with vegetables on the side — and closed the show with his famous Burn Out number.
