Full Name: Stephen Madi Mokone 
Date of Birth: March 23, 1932 
Place of Birth: Doornfontein, Johannesburg, South Africa 
Date of Death: March 19, 2015 
Place of Death: Washington, D.C., USA 
Profession: Professional Footballer, Psychologist, Anti-Apartheid Activist 
Nickname: The Black Meteor, Kalamazoo, the Maserati

Early Life and Youth Career

Steve Mokone was born in Doornfontein and grew up in Sophiatown before moving to Kilnerton in Pretoria. He began playing football with Pretoria Home Stars and Durban Bush Bucks. At just 16, he debuted for the South African Black XI, where his skills attracted attention from English clubs. The game was against the Belgian-Congo (now DRC) and he scored two goals in that match that was played in Durban.

Sophiatown:

Club Career

In 1955, Mokone signed with **Coventry City**, becoming the **first black African** to play professional football in Europe. Though his stay was brief, it was historic. Before signing for Coventry City, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Newcastle United had also made offers, but his father discouraged the move, arguing that he was still too young.

He went on to:
– Win the **1958 Tweede Divisie** with **Heracles Almelo** in the Netherlands, becoming a club legend 
– Play for **Cardiff City** 
– Sign for **FC Barcelona** (loaned to **Marseille** due to foreign player quotas) 
– Join top clubs including **Torino**, **Valencia CF**, **Hamilton Steelers** (Canada), and **Sunshine George Cross** (Australia)

His success abroad shattered racial barriers and inspired a generation of African footballers.

International Career

Mokone was **barred from representing South Africa’s all-white national team** due to apartheid. However, he continued to play for the South African Black XI and used his international platform to fight segregation in sport.

William Nkomo, the founding chairman of the ANC Youth Congress and a friend of Steve Mokone’s family, told him that every goal he scored “would be one more goal towards independence.”

Post-Football Career

After retiring, Mokone moved to the **United States**, earning a **PhD in Psychology** from **Rutgers University**. He became a professor and **anti-apartheid activist**, speaking out against injustice and supporting global liberation movements.

Other Talents:

While in Italy, Steve Mokone also sang and performed part time in the local theatre.

Personal Life and Controversy
In 1978, Mokone was convicted in a high-profile case involving the assault of his wife and her attorney during a custody battle. He was sentenced to 12 years in prison but **maintained his innocence**, claiming he was framed. He was released in 1990.

His biographer, Tom Egbers, found material that supported the theory that he was framed by the apartheid South African regime’s Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) and America’s Central Intelligence Agency. He was friends with Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Mariam Makeba, and he was also believed to be a member of the ANC. He participated in many campaigns that sough to have apartheid South Africa banned from international competitions.

Other Contributions:

Sat on the board of directors of the Commonwealth Sports Awards

Established the Kalamazoo South African Foundation – 1996

Awards:

The Order of Ikhamanga in Gold

Europe Best Player – 1959

Street Name in Amsterdam

The key to the City of Orange in

Biography of Steve Mokone – De Zwarte Meteor (The Black Meteor)

Another book on his life in prison – Twaalf Gestolen Jahre (Twelve Stolen Years)

A Dutch film made on his life

Steve Mokone died in 2015 in Washington, USA. His passing was extensively covered in South Africa and Netherlands. Bafana Bafana held a moment of silence for him and wore black armbands to pay their last respect to him at their game against Nigeria at the FNB stadium. His ashes were spread at the venue, following his wishes to have his ashes brought back to South Africa and spread at a football place.

`Legacy
Despite personal trials, Mokone’s legacy as the **first black South African in European football** remains powerful. Known as **“The Black Meteor”**, he was renowned for his blistering pace and incredible skill. His life story inspired books, films, and tributes from global sports institutions.

Summary Profile
Name: Stephen Madi Mokone 
Born: March 23, 1932 – Doornfontein, South Africa 
Died: March 19, 2015 – Washington, D.C., USA 
Profession: Footballer, Psychologist, Activist

Key Clubs:
– Coventry City 
– Heracles Almelo 
– Cardiff City 
– Marseille (on loan from Barcelona) 
– Torino 
– Valencia CF 
– Hamilton Steelers (Canada) 
– Sunshine George Cross (Australia)

Notable Achievements:
– First black South African in a European league 
– 1958 Tweede Divisie winner – Heracles 
– Doctorate in Psychology – Rutgers University 
– Anti-apartheid activist and academic