Enos Mafokate, a pioneering South African show jumping champion known for breaking racial barriers in the sport, passed away on September 3 at the age of 80, his family announced. Mafokate was widely recognized as “Kgosi ya Dipere,” meaning “King of horses” in the Sesotho language.

Born into a segregated society under apartheid, Mafokate began his equestrian career as a stablehand. He won his first riding competition in 1963 but was barred from competing further due to South Africa’s racial segregation laws, which restricted Black athletes from participating in many sports. It was not until 1975 that he was allowed to take part in additional competitions.

In 1980, Mafokate became the first Black South African man to compete internationally as a show jumper. He placed fifth out of 31 riders at the Royal International Horse Show held at Wembley Stadium in England, a significant milestone in a sport long dominated by white riders.

Following the dismantling of apartheid and South Africa’s re-admission to the Olympic Games in 1991, Mafokate was honored for his contributions to sport by serving as a sports ambassador at the Barcelona Olympics. His family noted that his impact extended well beyond his personal accomplishments, highlighting his role in challenging racial barriers during a turbulent period in South Africa’s history.

In his later years, Mafokate focused on nurturing future generations of Black equestrians. He founded the Soweto Equestrian Centre in 2006, a riding school based in the Johannesburg township, where he trained hundreds of young people in horse riding and animal care. His efforts contributed to expanding access to equestrian sports among communities historically excluded from such opportunities.

Mafokate’s achievements were recognized in 2015 when he received a lifetime achievement award at the South Africa Sport Awards, celebrating his enduring legacy in South African sport and society.