Sports minister Gayton McKenzie has taken a step that is likely to irk super fan Joyce “Mama Joy” Chauke even more.
McKenzie has pledged to find independent sponsors to enable fans to accompany Bafana Bafana to the World Cup in Mexico, Canada and the US.
Mama Joy trended over the weekend for her fallout with the minister whom she accused of ‘not liking’ the fans who usually go with the national team to big tournaments.
After learning that the department of sports would no longer sponsor fans, Mama Joy took to X to voice her dissatisfaction.
“To all SA fans let’s just accept no Worldcup for us. @GaytonMcK @MinisterMcK @SportArtsCultur won’t be able to help us.
“You are at your own (sic). Let’s just pray for the President to give us a new Minister of sport that can love fans,” wrote Mama Joy.
And now on Monday, McKenzie has promised to phone a few possible sponsors to help take fans to the World Cup in June.
“I think we should have each club nominate the best and most consistent supporter for a trip to the World Cup,” wrote McKenzie.
“It has to be someone who rarely misses a game. I will start calling sponsors…”
It is clear that Mama Joy will be left out of this arrangement if it happens as she currently does not support any local team.
She had jumped ship and left Orlando Pirates for the now defunct Royal AM when it was launched s few years ago.
But the club, led by flamboyant Durban businesswoman Shauwm Mkhize was dissolved by SARS last year.
Shauwn Mkhize has since bought Mbanane Highlanders in Eswatini, and Mama Joy followed her.