I woke up this morning to a picture taken back in 1990 as a 12 year old. There is something profound about the picture, the Love & Peace sign that has touched millions of people both here and abroad.

Growing up in the rural, the last thing on your mind as a little boy was watching games on television and we relied mostly on radio to follow our favourite teams. The year 1986 was a very significant year for not only me but everyone at the village, as for the first time at that we had an opportunity to watch television in my small village. It was then that I was able to watch stars like Marks “Go Man Go” Maponyane, Johannes “Chippa” Molatedi, Silvester Kole, Isaac Chirwa, Teenage “uMgabadeli” Dladla and the list is endless.

I think my father had a lot to do with my love for the Club as he used to reminisce a lot about the late former schemer, Patrick “Ace” Ntsoelengoe exploits in the 70s up to the late 80s. It was my father who took me and introduced me to the late Clarence Mlokothi (may his soul rest in peace), former Director of the Club. I used to just admire being around him with his long beard in his black and gold tracksuits.

I remember the first game I watched on television, Kaizer Chiefs vs. Moroka Swallows in a final back in 1986. (I learnt over the years that it was Mainstay Cup Final). The legendary Ace Ntsoelengoe scored a winner that day and as an eight year old I fell in love with Chiefs. The game was played in a packed Ellis Park stadium now known as Coca Cola Park.

Back then 8 year olds like me was not allowed to sit with honourable teachers, policemen and senior people in my village. Despite the fact that the television being in my home, I was forced to watched the game together with guys of my age through the a corner of the window. You can imagine the shoving and pushing that would take place there and sometimes we would fight just to get that corner to cast your eye in the game. Nonetheless, I was ecstatic at the end as the Glamour Boys lifted the trophy.

Fast forward to 2009, I am serving a Club that I admired growing up as a boy. (The picture tells a story). Talking to the likes of Bra Sam Motaung, he tells me that it was not always like this here where the Club has a clubhouse now in Naturena. They had to move around from Msibi’s House in Meadowlands, Jeppe Street, Clampston House until we found a home here.

They tell me that the late Maphontso Motaung (mother to the Chairman, Mr. Kaizer Motaung) used to be responsible for washing the kit for the players. Today the Club boosts of a laundry facilities where my colleagues, Jackson Mokoena and Mingi Motaung will be seen busy on a daily basis in making sure that both the training kit and playing kit as at the required level.

It gives one pleasure to be part of this gigantic brand towards celebrating the 40 years of Love and Peace. It indeed gratifying that life here at the Village ‘is only starting’ as the Club marches towards 40 year’s of glamour. This spirit can be seen from everyone here including the Chairman, who is the Life and Soul of Kaizer Chiefs.

Khosi 4 Life!