26/11/2022
CLARENCE MLOKOTI: Founding father of Kaizer Chiefs.
He was an Orlando Pirates executive member when crisis between the executive and some of the players came up. Three players were suspended just before the game against Highlands Park. These players were Zero Johnson, Ratha Mokgoatlheng and Edward Msomi. During those days apartheid laws did not allow black and white teams to play against each other. Since both teams wanted to challenge each other they devised a plan to go to Swaziland. The then manager of Orlando Pirates Ewart Nene, wanted these players in the line up. The black man's image was at stage. Clarence Mlokoti took Nene and the players and became their mouthpiece during executive meeting...
When no solution was reached about the suspension of the players Mlokoti together with other Orlando Pirates members, among them Ewart Nene, China Ngema, Gilbert Sekhabi, Sigemfunga Buthelezi, Mamashelo and Peggy Bel Air Senne decided to break way and form another team. During that time former Orlando Pirates star player Kaizer Motaung, who had a contract to play for Atlanta Chiefs in America, was already on his way back to the country. When Motaung arrived he was informed of the latest developments in football. He welcomed the idea of the formation of the new team and took it upon himself to recruit players. He was helped by Ngema, Nene, Sekhabi and others.
Since Motaung was close to the players who were suspended and most of the players were his friends, it was not long before top names joined him. Among them were Patrick Ace Ntsoelengoe, Elkim "Pro" Khumalo, Joseph "Banks" Setlhodi, Petrus "Ten Ten" Nzimande and Ariel "Pro" Kungoane. In 1969, all arrangements for new team were completed and player recruitment was completed. A new Club called Kaizer XI was formed.
Kaizer Motaung was selected as Pillarman, player and coach of the team. Kaizer's popularity and football experience earned him a lot of respect among supporters and it was not long before Kaizer XI was mentioned among top names in football. Kaizer Motaung's name was used precisely for the marketing and attention his fame would draw. During that time, all Kaizer XI players did not have contract with the team and they did not receive a salary. They depended on money made from gate-takings. Most of the supporters started dressing like Motaung. Afros and bell-bottomed pants became the trade mark of all Kaizer XI supporters. And the name "The Hippies" was heard whenever Kaizer XI played. The team became success and other established teams did not want to swallow their pride and admit that a star was born. They suggested a contest and A tournament was arranged at Orlando Stadium between Kaizer XI and Moroka Swallows and Orlando Pirates. This contest had to take place in one day and Kaizer XI players waited just 30 minutes before they played the second team. Kaizer XI beat both teams.
Even the national Professional Soccer League (NPSL) got interested in Kaizer XI. But to qualify as one of the NPSL Clubs, the club had to be affiliated to a local, then provincial body and it also had to win the professional promotions competition. None of the organisation in Johannesburg wanted to take this club under their wing, they were sceptical. Then the president of Nigel Football Association, Matt Mphahane, took the team and registered it. It took an organization that was so far away from Johannesburg to register the team. Most of the local organizations felt that this was unprocedural but Mphahane, being very influential at the time, made it possible.
Kaizer XI later qualified to become part of the Transvaal Buntu Football Association. In 1970, Kaizer XI earned a place in the professional ranks. After the team had been registered, the name Kaizer XI was changed to Chiefs. Kaizer Chiefs was the first black team to have a board of directors. The board comprised of Ewert Nene, Kaizer Motaung, Gilbert Sekhabi and Clearance Mlokoti was appointed Chairman of the board.
