Two sports superfans – Mama Joy Chauke and Botha Msila – received a ton of backlash after it was suggested that they were being paid by the government to attend Rugby World Cup matches to support the Springboks and represent South Africa. After seeing the criticism, Minister Zizi Kodwa shared his support for the two fans.
The backlash, particularly towards Mama Joy, started when Democatic Alliance ward councillor Renaldo Gouws shared on X, “I was today years old when I found out that these two are paid by the Department of Sports, Arts, and Culture to go and be supporters in the stands. I’m not joking, they are paid by taxpayers to go to sporting events across the world to ‘represent’ South Africa.”
I was today years old when I found out that these two are paid by the Department of Sports, Arts, and Culture to go and be supporters in the stands. I’m not joking, they are paid by taxpayers to go to sporting events across the world to “represent” South Africa. pic.twitter.com/7INHeEDg9o
— Ngamla Gouws ?? (@RenaldoGouws) October 2, 2023
Also taking to X, the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture shared a lengthy statement of support. In the caption, he wrote that the department supports South Africans to participate in arts, music and cultural events hosted around the world. “It is unfortunate that Mama @JoyChauke5 and Boy Msila have been subjected to negative comments about their presence in the Rugby World Cup @Springboks.”
A portion of the statement read, “In 2020, the country adopted a Framework Document on South Africa’s National Interest and its advancement in a Global Environment. The document defined South Africa’s national interest within the context of addressing the legacies of the colonial rule and apartheid policies.
“Mama Joy and Botha’s presence at the Rugby World Cup is playing a major role in demonstrating how South Africa is using sport to heal from the divisions of the past.”
The statement further read that Mama Joy is raising the agency and voice of women in a male-dominant environment. “It cannot be correct for South Africans that are refusing change to use the Rugby World Cup to push their underlying racism and patriarchal tendencies to bully and insult a woman who has built a profile as a superfan across all sporting codes…”
.@SportArtsCultur supports many South Africans to participate in arts, music and cultural events hosted around the world. It is unfortunate that Mama @JoyChauke5 and Boy Msila have been subjected to negative comments about their presence in the Rugby World Cup @Springboks pic.twitter.com/ca1r2JMKIq
— Minister of Sport, Arts & Culture (@zizikodwa) October 4, 2023
The government has also clarified that it did not pay the two superfans to attend the games. Department spokesperson Litha Mpondwana told TimesLIVE, “Mama Joy and Botha are not paid by the department to go to stadiums.” However, without disclosing the amount, the department stated that they funded Mama Joy and Botha’s return flights and accommodation in France, where the World Cup is being held.
Also see: Government refutes claims its funding Khanyi, Zodwa boxing match
