1 day Ago By Joshua Hendricks
The wild story behind Orlando Pirates’ rising star Mbekezeli Mbokazi. Pirates’ latest breakout star, Mbokazi, has taken South African football by storm. The 19-year-old centre-back didn’t just make his professional debut on 5 March against Chippa United, he made a statement.
Helping the Buccaneers secure a narrow 1-0 victory in the Betway Premiership, Mbokazi immediately showcased his defensive prowess. In just six appearances across all competitions, he has already scored a goal and claimed three Man of the Match awards. He went toe-to-toe with top-tier teams like Mamelodi Sundowns in the Betway Premiership and MC Alger in the CAF Champions League, showing that he belongs on the big stage.
From rural tournaments to the big league at Pirates Before signing with Orlando Pirates in 2023 from Langalibalele Academy in KwaZulu-Natal, Mbokazi sharpened his skills in the club’s DStv Diski Challenge team. But his road to professional football almost took a very different turn, and it took a sjambok to put him back on track. A sjambok is a heavy leather whip that people traditionally crafted from hippopotamus or rhinoceros hide, although modern versions often use plastic or other materials.
It originated in South Africa, where the Voortrekkers, early Afrikaans-speaking settlers, used it to drive cattle. Known for its flexibility and durability, the sjambok typically measures between 3 to 5 feet in length. Throughout history, individuals have also used it as a weapon or a tool for corporal punishment in various settings.
While preparing for the Engen Knockout Tournament, the Langalibalele Academy noticed that Mbokazi never showed up in Durban on his scheduled arrival day. Concerned, academy coach Wonder Mnguni called Mbokazi’s uncle to check in. That call uncovered a surprising twist and the wild story behind the left-footed wall.
Turning point: Harsh lesson with a sjambok Instead of reporting to the academy, Mbokazi had joined local coaches to compete in low-stakes rural tournaments. His uncle was shocked. “His uncle whipped him with a sjambok and told him to go to Durban, where he would get better opportunities,” revealed Mnguni in an interview with FARPost .
“So, seeing his talent, we had to try everything we could to help him, considering that he was also coming from the rural areas.” Mnguni added: “When we [the academy] went to play a friendly before the Engen, the boy didn’t arrive. I phoned his uncles and they said, the boy came to you [academy] in Durban.
Only to find out he was taken by other coaches to play [tournaments in rural areas].” That tough love changed everything. Forced to reconsider his path, Mbokazi finally joined the academy, and from there, his rise has been unstoppable.
From beating to Pirates brilliance: Mbokazi’s future looks bright What started as a harsh reality check now reads like the origin story of a future legend. Mbokazi has quickly become a fan favorite at Orlando Pirates, and his performances continue to generate buzz across the local football scene. With his confidence growing and the spotlight getting brighter, South Africa may have just found its next defensive titan.
Stay tuned with The South African as we re-tell the wild story behind Pirates’ rising star Mbokazi. Let us know by leaving a comment below or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 . Subscribe to The South African website’s newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp , Facebook , X , and Bluesky for the latest news.
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