From Trainee to Professional: The Impact of Mentorship on Mfundo Vilakazi's Shift to Kaizer Chiefs' Senior Team - Cape Town Today
Customize Consent Preferences

We use cookies to help you navigate efficiently and perform certain functions. You will find detailed information about all cookies under each consent category below.

The cookies that are categorized as "Necessary" are stored on your browser as they are essential for enabling the basic functionalities of the site. ... 

Always Active

Necessary cookies are required to enable the basic features of this site, such as providing secure log-in or adjusting your consent preferences. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable data.

No cookies to display.

Functional cookies help perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collecting feedback, and other third-party features.

No cookies to display.

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics such as the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

No cookies to display.

Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.

No cookies to display.

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with customized advertisements based on the pages you visited previously and to analyze the effectiveness of the ad campaigns.

No cookies to display.

From Trainee to Professional: The Impact of Mentorship on Mfundo Vilakazi’s Shift to Kaizer Chiefs’ Senior Team

3 mins read
mentorship rising stars

Mfundo Vilakazi, a talented winger transitioning into Kaizer Chiefs’ senior team, has received invaluable mentorship from Vela Khumalo, coach of the club’s DStv Diski Challenge team. Khumalo’s philosophy emphasizes the need for Vilakazi to retain his original style of play and offers a balanced mix of encouragement and critique to promote his progress. Despite the challenges faced by rising talents in the team, Khumalo remains hopeful about their potential, indicating the transformative power of persistent mentorship. Vilakazi’s journey is a gripping narrative of optimism for the team’s future.

From Trainee to Professional: The Impact of Mentorship on Mfundo Vilakazi’s Shift to Kaizer Chiefs’ Senior Team

How does Vela Khumalo mentor Mfundo Vilakazi?

Vela Khumalo advises Mfundo Vilakazi to maintain his original style of play as he transitions into the senior team. He uses a balanced approach of encouragement and critique to promote Vilakazi’s progress and future achievements. Khumalo recognizes the challenges faced by rising talents at Naturena and is hopeful about the potential within these young players.

Vela Khumalo, the revered coach of Kaizer Chiefs’ DStv Diski Challenge team, has evolved into a lighthouse of mentorship for Mfundo Vilakazi. Vilakazi is a talented winger transitioning into the senior team. Khumalo’s guidance, characterized by an exclusive focus on maintaining Vilakazi’s original style of play, has played a pivotal role in this journey.

Khumalo’s advice, as cited by iDiski Times, emphasizes the necessity of Vilakazi retaining his distinct performance. Vela Khumalo’s philosophy is centered on the idea that what originally got Vilakazi noticed should remain consistent. He asserts, “He must not alter his game, he must stay true to his style. If he attempts to change it, it will be a recipe for disaster.” Reinforcing his point, he further commends Vilakazi’s current playing style, “He is doing great, continuing to impress, and it’s the Vilakazi we know.”

Khumalo’s Balanced Approach: Encouragement and Critique

Vilakazi’s venture into the senior team during the Africa Cup of Nations break was a clear sign of his advancement. Despite this, Khumalo perseveres in advising Vilakazi to stay true to his prowess, offering a balanced mix of praise and criticism to promote his mentee’s progress. Khumalo’s method of combining commendation and caution indicates his dedication to Vilakazi’s improvement and future achievements.

Vilakazi’s path to stardom is not smooth; it comes with its fair share of hurdles. Khumalo has voiced his concerns about the issues encountered by rising talents at Naturena. He cites the difficulties faced by Mduduzi Shabalala, Sabelo Radebe, and Samkelo Zwane as examples. Khumalo recognizes the tough road these budding players have to travel, particularly when aiming to advance to the senior team.

Overcoming Challenges: The Future of Kaizer Chiefs’ Rising Stars

However, in the face of these hardships, Khumalo remains steadfast and is hopeful about the potential within these young talents. He is convinced that they possess a plethora of latent potential, and confidently asserts, “They still have ample time to evolve.”

As Kaizer Chiefs gear up for their forthcoming fixture against TS Galaxy, Vilakazi is on the threshold of a career-defining moment. Khumalo’s expectations for Vilakazi are crystal clear: he wants his mentee to not merely survive but excel. Khumalo anticipates, “Vilakazi will aim to hit the ground running when Chiefs resume the DStv Premiership, rather than being one of those players who fall off the radar.”

The Power of Mentorship: A Testament to Vilakazi’s Journey

This expectation underscores Vilakazi’s path, underscoring the crucial role he could assume in Kaizer Chiefs’ quest for excellence. It implies that Vilakazi’s story is not solely a personal expedition, but a gripping narrative of optimism for the team’s future. This narrative serves as an affirmation of the transformative influence of persistent mentorship.

  1. Who is mentoring Mfundo Vilakazi?
    Vela Khumalo, the coach of Kaizer Chiefs’ DStv Diski Challenge team, is mentoring Mfundo Vilakazi.

  2. What is Khumalo’s philosophy for Vilakazi’s game?
    Khumalo emphasizes the need for Vilakazi to retain his original style of play as he transitions into the senior team.

  3. How does Khumalo offer criticism and praise to Vilakazi?
    Khumalo offers a balanced mix of encouragement and critique to promote Vilakazi’s progress and future achievements.

  4. What challenges do rising talents at Kaizer Chiefs face?
    Rising talents at Kaizer Chiefs face various difficulties, such as advancing to the senior team and competing at a high level.

  5. How does Khumalo remain hopeful about the potential of young talents at Kaizer Chiefs?
    Khumalo is convinced that young talents at Kaizer Chiefs possess latent potential and have ample time to evolve.

  6. What does Vilakazi’s journey represent for Kaizer Chiefs?
    Vilakazi’s journey represents a gripping narrative of optimism for the team’s future and serves as a testament to the transformative power of persistent mentorship.

Previous Story

A Shift in South African Rugby: Striding Towards Gender Equality

Next Story

Unveiling the Fashion Brilliance: Men’s Style Statements at the 66th Grammy Awards

Latest from Blog

The Rise of Vaping Among South African Teenagers

Vaping is quickly becoming a popular habit among South African teenagers, drawn by sweet fruity flavors, flashy packaging, and the buzz on social media. Many teens vape to fit in with friends, feel cool and rebellious, or to escape stress and anxiety. However, what seems like harmless fun can quickly turn into addiction, affecting their health and wellbeing. Despite the risks, vaping is often misunderstood, making it harder for families and schools to stop this growing trend. It’s a serious challenge that needs everyone—parents, teachers, and leaders—to work together to protect young people’s futures.

South African Agriculture and the Changing Winds of Trade

Since 2000, the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) has helped South African farmers sell fruits like avocados, wine, and citrus to the United States without paying extra taxes. This chance boosted farming communities, especially small farmers and women, by opening up new markets and encouraging growth. But recent U.S. tariffs threaten these gains, making it harder for farmers to compete and putting many livelihoods at risk. Still, South African farmers remain strong and hopeful, working hard to face these new challenges and keep their communities alive.

Trapped Abroad: Ashley Oosthuizen’s Journey Through Thailand’s Legal Labyrinth

Ashley Oosthuizen, a young South African woman, went to Thailand chasing her dreams but ended up trapped in a nightmare. After unknowingly signing for a package with illegal drugs, she was arrested and sentenced to over 13 years in prison, despite being innocent. Her mother moved to Thailand to fight for her, sharing Ashley’s story with the world and gaining support. Even when the real criminal confessed, the Thai courts kept Ashley behind bars. Her story is a powerful reminder of how quickly life can change and the risks travelers face in foreign countries.

Shadows Along the Hennops: Three SAPS Officers Vanish and a River Gives Up Its Secrets

In April 2025, three South African police officers disappeared during a trip and were later found dead near the Hennops River, along with two others. Their white car vanished into the river’s dark, swirling waters, hiding clues and sparking a deep mystery. Families and the public mourned, demanding answers amid fears of foul play. The quiet river, once peaceful, now holds heavy secrets and reminds the nation of the dangers police face and the urgent need for justice.

Cape Town’s Boatbuilding: Crafting a Legacy on the Waterfront

Cape Town’s boatbuilding industry is a shining example of skill and tradition mixed with new technology. It creates beautiful, strong boats that are loved worldwide and supports thousands of jobs in the city. But now, new tariffs on exports, especially to the US, threaten this important work and the people who depend on it. Despite these challenges, boatbuilders, city leaders, and innovators are coming together to protect this proud craft. Their passion and teamwork fuel hope that Cape Town’s boatbuilding legacy will sail on strong into the future.