Kaizer Chiefs appoint Bheki Shongwe as Group CEO with boss Kaizer Motaung set to be more hands-on

Kaizer Chiefs have appointed Bheki Shongwe as the club’s new Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO), effective from May 2026, the club announced on Thursday afternoon.

Shongwe takes up the role at Amakhosi after previously serving as a non-executive director on the club’s Board of Directors while also managing his own business interests.

He previously held the position of managing director at Chiefs between 2009 and 2012 – a role similar to the sporting director position currently occupied by Kaizer Motaung Junior.

Chiefs also outlined Shongwe’s responsibilities within the club, indicating that he will 'work closely with all departments', including the sporting division, football manager Bobby Motaung and the commercial and marketing department headed by Jessica Motaung, while reporting directly to chairman Kaizer Motaung.

“In his new role, Mr Shongwe will oversee the day-to-day running of the club, reporting directly to the chairman and the Board, while working closely with the heads of departments,” the club said in a statement.

“Importantly, he will also assist chairman Dr Kaizer Motaung with the overall running of the organisation, ensuring that the club continues to thrive both on and off the field.”

Shongwe’s appointment appears to signal Motaung’s return to a more hands-on role in the club’s operations, after his children – Kaizer Junior, Bobby and Jessica – had taken on more responsibility in recent years.

The decision to appoint someone outside the immediate family structure to report directly to the chairman is widely viewed as a positive step, especially after the challenges the senior team has faced over the past few seasons.