Birthplace: Sophiatown, Johannesburg, South Africa
Occupation: Businessman, Football Club Owner
Known For: Former Owner of Mamelodi Sundowns FC, Transforming South African Football Culture in the 1980s
Honors: Revolutionized Player Signings and Club Investments in South Africa; Remembered as a Pioneer of Football Professionalism

Who is Zola Mahobe?

Zola Mahobe was a South African businessman and football club owner who rose to fame in the 1980s as the charismatic and flamboyant owner of Mamelodi Sundowns Football Club. Known as “Mr. Cool” for his sharp style and lavish lifestyle, Mahobe transformed Sundowns into a powerhouse, changing the face of South African football with his ambitious investments. His story — from Sophiatown roots to socialite stardom, and ultimately to downfall — remains one of the most captivating tales in South African sports history.

Early Life and Education

Zola Mahobe was born in Sophiatown, Johannesburg. He attended Meadowlands High School in Soweto but left in 1971 to pursue work opportunities and help support his family.

Early Career

After leaving school, Mahobe secured a job at an international company in Johannesburg, where he worked for 10 years. In 1981, he moved to a computer company, where he spent just over a year before deciding to venture into business for himself.

In 1983, he founded Power Promotions, a business that allowed him to rise rapidly through Johannesburg’s social and business circles.

Rise to Fame and Ownership of Mamelodi Sundowns

Between 1983 and 1985, Mahobe’s profile grew immensely. Known for his luxurious lifestyle, he frequented upscale restaurants, drove expensive cars, traveled overseas regularly, owned racehorses, and lived in palatial homes.
Though married with two children, Mahobe was often seen with his mistress, Snowy Tebelo Moshoeshoe, a clerk at Standard Bank.

In 1985, at the age of 31, Mahobe purchased the Mamelodi Sundowns Football Club for a reported R100,000.
He invested over R2 million into the club within two years, recruiting some of South Africa’s best footballers, including Pitso Mosimane, and gifting new signings luxury BMW vehicles.

Beyond football, Mahobe’s business empire expanded to include butcheries, bottle stores, and a travel agency. All operations were based from his offices on Eloff Street in Johannesburg.

Known for his generosity, Mahobe treated his employees and friends exceptionally well, and maintained a strong connection to the broader community.
In May 1986, he famously took the entire Sundowns team — including players’ wives and girlfriends — on an all-expenses-paid trip to watch the FA Cup Final in London.

With Kaizer Motaung the draw for the first round of the John Player Special Knockout Cup in 1986

Financial Scandal and Downfall

In May 1987, Mahobe attempted to purchase a Mercedes-Benz 500SEL while on holiday in Germany. During the transaction, irregularities in his financial accounts were uncovered at Standard Bank.

An internal audit revealed that his lover, Snowy Moshoeshoe, had been illegally passing fraudulent credit transfer forms into Mahobe’s accounts for over five years. The fraudulent activities involved over R10 million.

Following the discovery, Moshoeshoe was arrested and charged with 129 counts of fraud involving R7.7 million. She was convicted and sentenced to 10 years in prison.
Meanwhile, Mahobe fled the country, becoming a fugitive for nearly nine months. During this time, his estate and Moshoeshoe’s were sequestrated, and his wife and children lost their home.

Arrest and Trial

Mahobe was arrested in Gaborone, Botswana, and extradited back to South Africa.
His trial began at the Johannesburg Regional Court on 8 July 1988, where he faced five counts of theft involving R6,037,870.

Mahobe pleaded not guilty, arguing that he believed the money was legitimately transferred from property sales in Lesotho.
The court rejected his defense, with the magistrate ruling his explanation “false beyond reasonable doubt,” and highlighting Mahobe’s lack of remorse.

On 12 January 1989, Zola Mahobe was sentenced to 29 years in prison, with 13 years to run concurrently, leading to an effective 16-year sentence.
Despite widespread sympathy from some Mamelodi Sundowns supporters, the court’s decision was upheld.

Sale of Mamelodi Sundowns

In 1989, Standard Bank place the club under liquidation and eventually sold it to the Krok brothers.

Return to Mamelodi Sundowns

Zola Mahobe died in 2013 in Soweto at the age of 59.