Kaizer Motaung Junior is a former professional footballer and is currently the sporting director of Kaizer Chiefs FC, one of the most successful football teams in South Africa.
He is the son of Kaizer Motaung, the founder and chairman of Kaizer Chiefs, and a football legend of the country.
He was a striker for clubs in South Africa, England and Germany before retiring in 2014.
He was also a talented cricketer who scored a century at Lord’s in 2000.
File
- Full name: Kaizer Motaung Junior
- Date of birth: August 8, 1981
- Age: 43 years old
- Gender: Male
- Place of birth: Johannesburg, South Africa
- Nationality: South African
- Occupation: Sporting Director of Kaizer Chiefs FC
- Height: 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
- Parents: Kaizer Motaung and Julegka Motaung
- Siblings: Bobby Motaung, Jessica Motaung and Kemiso Motaung
- Spouse: Katherine Heider (m. 2012; d. 2019)
- Children: Tyler Rhys Motaung (son)
- Relationship status: Divorced
- Net worth: $5 million
Early life and education
Kaizer Motaung Junior, now 43 years old, was born on August 8, 1981 in Johannesburg, South Africa. He is the second child and eldest son of Kaizer Motaung and Julegka Motaung.
His father is the founder and chairman of Kaizer Chiefs FC, one of the most famous and successful football teams in South Africa.
His father also played for Orlando Pirates and Atlanta Chiefs and represented the South African national team. His mother is a businesswoman and philanthropist who runs the Kaizer Motaung Foundation.
Junior grew up in a wealthy and influential family with three siblings: Bobby, Jessica and Kemiso. He attended St. John’s College in Johannesburg, where he excelled at football and cricket.
He then moved to England and attended Harrow School in London, where he continued to play both sports.
He made history in 2000 when he scored a century at Lord’s, the home of cricket, in a match between Harrow and Eton. He was the first South African to achieve this feat.
Personal life
Kaizer Motaung Junior married Katherine Heider, a German citizen, in 2012 after nine years of dating.
They met in Munich, Germany, where Junior played for 1860 Munich. They have a son named Tyler Rhys, born in 2011.
However, their marriage did not last long and they divorced in 2019. Junior revealed on Instagram that he was no longer married and that his wife had been abusive to him.
He also admitted that he overdosed on cough medicine and was trying to quit.
Career
Kaizer Motaung Junior began his football career at Wits University, a local club in Johannesburg. He then joined Kaizer Chiefs FC, a team owned by his father, in 2000.
He made his national team debut in 2001 and scored his first goal in 2002. He played for Kaizer Chiefs for four seasons, winning two league titles, one cup and one Super Cup.
In 2004, he moved to England and signed for Chelsea, one of the top teams in the Premier League.
However, he did not make any first-team appearances and was loaned to 1860 Munich, a German second-tier club, in 2005. He spent three seasons at 1860 Munich, scoring 12 goals in 63 appearances.
He returned to Kaizer Chiefs in 2008 and played for six more seasons until his retirement in 2014. He scored 35 goals in 144 games for Kaizer Chiefs and won a further league title, two cups and two Super Cups.
He also played for the South African national team at U20 and U23 level but never played for the senior team.
In 2015, he was appointed as sporting director of Kaizer Chiefs, a role that involves overseeing the technical aspects of the club, such as scouting, transfers and youth development. Along with his father and siblings, he is also involved in the management and running of the club.
Prize
Kaizer Motaung Junior has won many awards and honours throughout his football career as a player and sporting director. Some of them are:
- Premier League: 2003–04, 2004–05, 2012–13.
- Nedbank Cup: 2006, 2013.
- MTN Magazine 8: 2008, 2014.
- Telkom playoffs: 2007, 2010.
- Century at Lord’s: 2000.
Net worth
According to various sources, Kaizer Motaung Junior’s net worth is estimated to be around $5 million.
He earned his wealth from his football career and his role as sporting director of Kaizer Chiefs.
Argumentative
Kaizer Motaung Junior has faced several controversies in his personal and professional life. In 2019, he was accused of being abused by his wife, Katherine Heider, who also accused him of cheating on her.
He later divorced her and posted on Instagram that he was no longer married. He also admitted that he overdosed on cough medicine and was struggling with addiction. He said he was seeking help and support from family and friends.
In 2020, he was involved in a legal dispute over unpaid wages with his former club, 1860 Munich. He claimed that the club owed him €300,000 and that he had not been paid for six months. He sued the club and the case was settled out of court.
In 2021, he was criticised by some fans and the media for his role as sporting director of Kaizer Chiefs.
The club had a disappointing season, finishing eighth in the league and failing to win any trophies, with some blaming him for poor recruitment, a lack of vision and interference in the coaching staff.
Social media
- Instagram: @kaizerm_jr
- Twitter: @KaizerM_Junior
