Renowned South African DJ and music producer, Black Coffee, has expressed interest in expanding his business empire by bidding for Royal AM Football Club. The club, owned by flamboyant businesswoman and reality TV star Shauwn “MaMkhize” Mkhize, was placed under auction by the South African Revenue Service (SARS) due to a massive R40 million tax debt.
The auction, which took place on M
arch 14, 2025, attracted several bidders, including politicians, businessmen, and international investors. Among the known bidders was MK Party politician and former football administrator David “Mazolman” Skosana, who submitted a R15 million bid. However, his offer fell short, as the winning bid was reported to be around R25 million—slightly above the reserve price set by SARS. The identity of the successful buyer remains undisclosed.
DJ Black Coffee, known for his global success and Grammy Award achievements, was one of the six bidders. Although the exact amount of his offer is undisclosed, sources claim he submitted a strong bid. The superstar, who already owns over 15 businesses in South Africa, was aiming to add Royal AM to his impressive portfolio.
The sale was structured as a “going concern,” meaning the new owner would inherit the club’s assets and liabilities. This includes a FIFA-imposed transfer ban due to a R15 million debt owed to former player Samir Nurković, along with unpaid wages of R600,000 to defender Ricardo Nascimento.
Furthermore, Royal AM faces a legal battle against the Democratic Alliance (DA), which is demanding the club repay a portion of the R27 million sponsorship received from the Msunduzi Municipality. Despite these challenges, the club’s brand and potential value attracted serious interest from high-profile bidders.
In addition to DJ Black Coffee and David Skosana, the auction drew interest from businessman Joe Sibanyoni, an unnamed investor from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and a Greek businessman reportedly linked to politician Gayton McKenzie.
The auction required bidders to submit their offers with a refundable deposit of R1 million. According to reports, the process was competitive, reflecting the value and influence of Royal AM in South African football despite its current financial troubles.
Meanwhile, Shauwn Mkhize and her family have remained silent about the auction. The socialite, famous for her luxurious lifestyle and reality show, has avoided social media and public interviews since SARS began investigating her tax affairs. Her last public statement regarding Royal AM was when she addressed a payment dispute involving the club’s players.
Apart from his music career, Black Coffee is a savvy businessman with investments in several industries. He owns the popular Soweto venue Zone 6, holds equity in fintech company Yoco, cleaning service SweepSouth, and healthcare group Epione Healthcare Solutions. Recently, he raised over R3 million for his music academy aimed at nurturing young talent.
The Royal AM bid marks another bold move by Black Coffee, solidifying his status not just as an artist, but as a growing force in South African business.