Chicago Fire and Bafana Bafana defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi has opened up about how his difficult upbringing shaped him into the person he is today.
The 20-year-old has earned widespread praise for how quickly he has adapted to life in Major League Soccer, establishing himself as a trusted pillar in Chicago’s defence.
His stellar performances were rewarded this week when he was named in the First XI for the 2026 MLS All-Star Game, as announced on Friday.
The South African international received the highest number of fan votes of any player and is set to share the pitch with global superstars like Lionel Messi and Son Heung-Min.
This rapid rise follows his high-profile move to the MLS from Orlando Pirates at the beginning of the year.
Mbokazi credits his tough upbringing in KwaZulu-Natal and his proud Zulu roots—which he believes instil a natural mental fortitude—with molding him into the strong character he is today.
“My background also helps me because we all grew up in different ways and each and everyone has their own way of seeing things,” he told Chicago Fire media department.
“Being Zulu, it’s rare that your life will be easy, growing up. I saw that the little I had, it will be difficult, but I have to be strong mentally and trust yourself.
“So being Zulu shaped me because I don’t know if I was other tribe, how I could have been because where I grew up, it was difficult and I had to be strong.
“And I knew that in life, you won’t get anything when you’re sitting and not doing anything. You have to try, get out there and work.
“I’ll speak for us Zulus, not others because when you really want something, there are high possibilities that you can get it.”