It was a sunny morning when Mkhize received a call that made his heart skip a beat. The voice on the other end belonged to a former scout for Kaizer Chiefs, now running a youth development program in Gauteng.
"I've been hearing about your work with local players," the man said. "Particularly your attention to detail with that boy, Thabo. I think you might be ready for a small trial with Kaizer Chiefs' scouting team. Are you interested?"
Mkhize froze for a moment, disbelief and excitement battling inside him. This was it the first real step toward the dream he had chased quietly for years.
"Yes," he said finally, voice steady but full of excitement. "Absolutely."
The man continued, "Good. It's not a license yet. It's not official scouting. But it's a chance to observe, learn, and show what you can do. If you impress, we'll talk about the next steps."
Mkhize hung up and looked at his notebook. Every early morning, every field visit, every observation of Thabo's training it had all led to this moment. He could feel the weight of responsibility settle on his shoulders, but instead of fear, there was purpose.
That afternoon, he arrived at the Kaizer Chiefs training grounds. The stadium loomed large, gleaming in the sunlight. Mkhize clutched his notebook tightly, heart pounding. Scouts moved around, watching young players, discussing tactics, evaluating performances.
He was just there to observe, but already, he felt part of something bigger. Every note he took, every detail he recorded, mattered.
During a break, the former scout pulled him aside. "Mkhize, remember this being a scout isn't just about talent. It's about character, attitude, potential. Look beyond the skills. See who these kids are, and what they can become."
Mkhize nodded, absorbing every word. He watched, learned, and recorded. It wasn't official yet. He didn't have a license. But for the first time, he felt like he belonged in the world he had been dreaming about.
That evening, back home, he wrote in his notebook with a smile:
"Step one is done. I'm not a licensed scout. I'm not official yet. But today, I entered the world I've been chasing. One day, I will walk these grounds officially, discovering stars and helping dreams come true. Today is proof patience and persistence pay."
He closed the notebook, feeling a quiet satisfaction that only comes when a long-held dream begins to touch reality.