Kaizer Chiefs Executive Chairman, Dr. Kaizer Motaung, was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 23rd Oliver Top Empowerment Awards ceremony at the Empire Conference and Events Venue in Johannesburg on Thursday evening, 18 July, where the cream of South African society gathered to attend South Africa’s premier awards for leadership and innovation in sustainable transformation.

Hosted by Topco Media, the Oliver Top Empowerments Awards has fostered a legacy of inspiration and is highly respected by the country’s public sector and business elite alike.

This annual black-tie ceremony gives South Africans the opportunity to recognise outstanding individuals and organisations demonstrating vision, leadership and action for empowerment and transformation.

The highlight of the evening came when Topco Media CEO, Ralf Fletcher, made the presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Award, praising The Chairman for his vital role in transforming the South African football landscape over more than five decades by inspiring and empowering people from all walks of life, extending far beyond the field.

“Dr. Motaung is a true embodiment of empowerment and his dedication to creating opportunities for all has inspired countless individuals. We take great pleasure in presenting him with this prestigious award,” Fletcher said.

As it turned out, the Chairman did not attend in person and was represented by his son and Kaizer Chiefs Football Manager, Bobby Motaung, who received the award on his father’s behalf.

However, The Chairman did express his appreciation for the recognition in typically modest fashion.

“I am extremely honoured to have this illustrious award bestowed on me,” he said on receiving the invitation to the event, “and to be held up alongside such august company, people who have made such immense contributions to the positive development of South African society, is a truly proud, yet, humbling moment for me. I wish to express my gratitude to those who deemed me worthy of this accolade.

”That it also happens to coincide with Mandela Day makes it all the more poignant and meaningful for me.”

The Chairman continued, “We stand as an example of what can be achieved through establishing strong foundations and creating conditions that are conducive to presenting opportunities for genuine authentic empowerment, where the immense latent talent that resides within our borders can be developed to fulfil its full potential, and upon which each subsequent generation should be built and advanced.”

Previous recipients of the award include President Cyril Ramaphosa, former president Thabo Mbeki, the late Dr. Richard Maponya, the late Mary Twala, Trevor Manuel, Naledi Pandor, Dr. Anna Mokgokong, Dr. Matthews Phosa, Yvonne Chaka Chaka and Prof. Thuli Madonsela, to name a few.