As Cape Town City braces for life in the Motsepe Foundation Championship, they do so with a heavy heart, bidding farewell to their most loyal servant and inspirational captain, Thami Mkhize.
After an incredible nine-year tenure that saw him become the bedrock of the club, Mkhize’s departure marks the end of an era and leaves an undeniable void at the heart of the Citizens.
Mkhize joined Cape Town City shortly after their formation in 2016, following their acquisition of Mpumalanga Black Aces’ status.
From the outset, he was more than just a defender; he was a symbol of consistency, unwavering leadership, and the very identity of a club that rapidly ascended the ranks of South African football.
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His exit comes on the heels of the club’s relegation from the Betway Premiership, a consequence of their 15th-place finish and a subsequent failed playoff campaign. While the drop to the second tier is a significant setback, the loss of Mkhize, arguably their first true icon, may prove even more profound.
Over his remarkable nine seasons with the club, Mkhize wore the captain’s armband with immense distinction, carving out a legacy that few players achieve in the modern game.
His statistics alone speak volumes: 270 appearances, nine goals, and 15 assists. More importantly, he was pivotal in securing the club’s first major pieces of silverware – the Telkom Knockout in 2016 and the MTN8 in 2018.
The 36-year-old’s leadership was absolutely instrumental as the team navigated numerous coaching changes, celebrated incredible highs, and weathered significant challenges.
From playing a crucial role in their inaugural cup victory just months after the club’s inception, to being named permanent captain in 2018, Mkhize evolved into Cape Town City’s spiritual core.
He was the respected voice in the dressing room, the approachable face in the community, and the unyielding heart on the pitch.
In an emotional farewell message shared on his official social media page, khize expressed his deep gratitude: “I am truly grateful for the opportunity, the platform, and the chance I was given for the past 8 (nine) years with this club. I lived and enjoyed what I had always dreamed of as a child.”
He reserved special thanks for the loyal supporters, adding, “To the fans, thank you for all the support and love you have shown me. You’ve touched my soul and shown me what loyalty looks like.”
More than just a goodbye, Mkhize’s departure creates a significant leadership vacuum in a side that now faces the daunting task of rebuilding in the Motsepe Foundation Championship. They must now attempt this without the one player who truly embodied their ethos from day one.
His journey also stands as a testament to resilience. After a stalled move to Orlando Pirates and a reported fallout at Golden Arrows, few would have predicted that Thami Mkhize would not only become the most capped player in Cape Town City’s history but also one of the club’s most revered and respected figures.
“Leading this club for seven consecutive seasons has helped me grow on and off the field,” he concluded, extending his gratitude to his family. “To my family, thank you for being my strength through it all. Ngiyabonga.”
As Cape Town City begins to reshape its future and plot its return to the top flight, the void left by Thami Mkhize will be incredibly difficult to fill. His name will forever be etched in the club’s annals as its true founding icon.