South African sports enthusiast Joy Chauke, commonly known as Mama Joy has finally made her return to the city of love despite initial uncertainty of whether she would have been able to attend the biggest sports event of the year – the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The vibrant 50-year-old who has a deep love for athletes flying the South African flag on the international stage was recently disappointed to discover that she would have to travel to Paris at her own expense.
This comes after the newly elected minister Gayton Mckenzie revealed that the Department of Sports, Arts, and Culture would no longer be paying large sums of money to see “superfans” flying across the world when athletes were struggling to raise funds to attend these events themselves.
The news was well received by most South Africans, who felt that it was time since her last trip to France a year prior for the Rugby World Cup was a waste of taxpayers’ monies.
However, it seems that where there is a will there is a way, and Joy Chauke has certainly come up with a plan.
She recently took to social media to share multiple pictures of her experience abroad as she officially landed at the Olympics.
Spotted in some of them was her French partner, popularly known as Papa Joy who is making sure that she experiences all she can during her visit to France.
In a tweet on X (formerly Twitter), she wrote:
“Thanks for the love, Papa Joy. After trending in South Africa, I needed this in France, and you are doing well Papy all I need is love.
Addressing her followers she added: “Papa Joy pampering me with love. Look at my gift from him. Love, love, love.”
Thanks for the love Papa Joy after trending in SA I needed this in France and you are doing well Papy all I need is love ,,, papa Joy pampering me with ❤️ love ,,,look at my gift from him ,,, love love love pic.twitter.com/ipcJTDyHHE
— MamaJoy Chauke (@JoyChauke5) July 30, 2024
The lovebirds appear to be having a ball of a time and have been completing several activities together – some of these include watching the rugby sevens, the opening ceremony of the Olympics, and exploring the city, La Rochelle.
Papajoy took me to La Rochelle it was@a surprise I really enjoyed pic.twitter.com/zgMGWIZ66M
— MamaJoy Chauke (@JoyChauke5) July 28, 2024
My Papajoy pic.twitter.com/k6yx5PIW2y
— MamaJoy Chauke (@JoyChauke5) July 28, 2024
With the Olympic games scheduled to conclude on 11 August, there may be lots more adventures for the Joy to explore.
Also see: Tatjana Smith wins SA’s first gold at 2024 Paris Olympics