“Mfana otlo senya batho!” loosely translated as “This boy is going to cause serious problems in the world of football.”
Those were the words from many who witnessed him growing up and playing soccer with friends in the dusty fields of Soweto.
The young Doctor Khumalo (now 55), real name Theophilus Doctorson Khumalo, was dangerous on the field and his hunger to win was unmatched.
This was later proven during the 1996 Mandela Cup match against Brazil and Phil Masinga scored the first goal from Doctor Khumalo's corner kick.
Doctor then scored the second goal, making the score 2–0 in favour of the South Africans. But Brazil scored in the second half to win the encounter 3–2.
Doctor opens up about his stint in the US and an iconic career with Kaizer Chiefs.
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While his story is fascinating, many South African legends’ stories are told once they die.
But Doctor, affectionately known as 16V, wanted to tell his story his way through the eyes of ex-footballers, former teammates, politicians, celebrities, and media personalities, who join him and share commentary and personal anecdotes.
They recall how “dangerous he was on the field and popular among the ladies".
On 2 October, Mzansi Magic premiered 16V Doctor Khumalo: Untold. Produced by 54 Connect, the story is an intimate four-part docuseries.
Warning people not to get offended by some of the scenes on doccie-series, Doctor says he tried his utmost to recall all the moments that added value to his life.
“The story is authentic, and I wish it will touch people from all walks of life, young and old. I am grateful to be alive to tell my own story,” he says.
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He could have told his story at the height of his career as a player but he chose to wait.
“I’m not a person who likes the spotlight on me, I felt we needed something to cheer us up and celebrate who we are and what we have and never take our gifts for granted,” he says.
“I decided to do a documentary because many South Africans do not read and I wanted to show visuals of the kind of life we lived without having to imagine it when it is done in the form of a book. I worked with a young production company to get a fresh look into my life and for them to be able to tell an old legends story for the younger people to understand.”
Being raised in a football-filled upbringing and under the apartheid regime played a big role in his fighting spirit and his father’s contribution to mentoring.
His father, Elkiam “Pro” Khumalo was a midfielder for Moroka Swallows and Kaizer Chiefs and died in 1996 during a botched car high-jacking.
He wishes both his parents, Elkiam “Pro” Khumalo, mom Mable Khumalo and his late daughter Theonada Livin Khumalo were alive to witness this historic moment. Doctor’s daughter died at the age of 25 years old in 2017.
“I know they would be so proud of me,“ he says.
He also knows his close friend and late radio broadcaster Bob Mabena is having the time of his life.
“Bob contributed immensely to the person I am and my career, very supportive and I know he is watching over me.”
He kept everything authentic and says he was honest and shared as much as he could about his life.
“No scripts, no lies, just me letting people into my life.”
But there were certain scenes he wishes to have avoided shooting.
“Nothing was scripted. I wish I did not show up visiting my daughter and parents’ gravesite as it opened up old wounds,” he says.
“It was very emotional for me but again I am glad I did because it’s all a part of my story and shows how I got to be the person I am today.”
Watch 16V Doctor Khumalo: Untold from Sundays on Mzansi Magic (DStv Channel 161) at 20:00.
