Enos Mafokate, a South African hero who defied apartheid’s oppressive laws to become the first black show jumping sensation in the country’s history, went from humble beginnings as a groom to winning international championships, impressing the British monarchy, and inspiring generations with his passion for horses. Now, at 79, Mafokate continues to devote his life to sharing his knowledge and love of horses with others through his riding school, the Soweto Equestrian Centre, the first of its kind in that sprawling township.

But Mafokate is quick to point out that his journey had not been easy. To become a roaring success in his show jumping career, he had to overcome various obstacles, including apartheid’s repressive restrictions.

He agreed to meet the City’s media team at his horse-riding school in Moroka, near Elkah Stadium. Extending a firm handshake, he leads the team to his office, which looks like a treasure trove.

Dozens of newspaper clippings, photographs, awards, trophies, and memorabilia adorn the walls.

There are images of him with members of the British royal family, monochrome photographs of him as a groom, photos of him at horse riding championships and a decorated display closet containing more trophies, medals, and other photographs.

Despite being a septuagenarian, the legendary Mafokate is young at heart, and says his active involvement with horses and eating carrots is what retains his youth.

“Having a horse is like therapy for me, and I never forget to eat my carrots,” he quips.

Mafokate was born in the historic township of Alexandra, north of Johannesburg, in 1944. He was however issued a second identity document with an incorrect birth date (1946). His family also stayed on a farm in Rivonia for a while before they were forcibly removed and ended up on the banks of the Hennops River.

Mafokate became interested in why Black people don’t ride horses at a youthful age during the dark years of racial segregation. He discovered that you must start as a groom first, so he decided to become one in 1960.

For the first time in history, Black people were permitted to participate in show jumping in South Africa in 1975. A watershed moment in Mafokate’s life story. He became a member of the Transvaal Horse Society two years later, a membership he did not easily acquire due to his race.

“It was a fight to become a member,” he recalls.

Mafokate began winning competitions in 1977. He was named reserve champion of the King George Trophy in Pietermaritzburg the following year, in 1978.

He gradually began building a reputation for himself. Later that year, top British show jumper David Broome saw him in Cape Town and wanted to see him compete on a bigger stage. Mafokate’s desire of competing in world-class events came true not long after.

He won show jumping and show class at a competition in Wales and finished fifth at a competition in Wembley, solidifying his international career.

When he met Prince Phillip and Queen Elizabeth in 1982, he had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It was the beginning of his relationship with the royal family. He and Queen Elizabeth both adored horses. He was taken with her stables and spent some time there.

He also had the opportunity to meet Princess Diana. “What a wonderful person she was. I saw her while she was holding Prince William. He was still a tiny infant. When she died, I cried because she was someone who spoke to everyone,” he adds.

Mafokate won one of the most monumental tournaments of his life in 1984. The event was the Midlands Championship in the United Kingdom, and his mount was London Pride.

“It was in the midst of a crowd of 65 000 people. I couldn’t contain my joy. As I laughed, tears streamed down my cheeks. It was tears of joy,” he recalls vividly.

Mafokate says he never expected his prodigious career would turn out the way it did, and he confesses that breaking through in apartheid was challenging. He jumped and rode his heart out.

“Show jumping was a hobby for me. I never expected anything significant to occur and I never imagined having my own horse one day. I placed God first in everything and borrowed R700 to buy my first horse,” he explains.

The City gave Mafokate the site on which his riding school now stands in the early 2000s. A good Samaritan then offered to assist him to set up and develop the Soweto Equestrian Centre. There are now 25 horses and one donkey in the centre.

He has no desire to relinquish control of the school and wants to ensure his legacy lives on by giving back to the community he has served so faithfully. His next major dream is to renovate the centre. He has a construction plan to build a state of-the-art facility with stables and bowling facilities but says it’s not cheap to keep the centre afloat.

Mafokate is dubbed the “King of Horses” because he urges others to ride horses and learn how to care for them. He is still determined to devote his life to teaching others about horses and believes spending seven days a week with his mounts keeps him young.

Mafokate has seven children, 15 grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. Arthur, the controversial Kwaito star, is his son.

Written by Brümilda Swartbooi

05/05/2023