- Minister Gayton McKenzie announced the cessation of funding for superfans by the Ministry of Sports, Arts and Culture.
- McKenzie instructed a public list of artists, creatives, and sportspeople who received ministry funds to be published.
- Prominent superfan Mama Joy Chauke, known for her international support of South African teams, is affected by this decision.
Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie announced the end of ministry-funded trips for superfans, including the renowned Mama Joy Chauke.
Gayton McKenzie: Ministry will no longer fund superfans
In a series of X posts, the Patriotic Alliance leader emphasised that the ministry’s resources should prioritise athletes and artists struggling to fund their participation in events and exhibitions.
“We shall no longer be paying for these trips and will use that money where it’s needed the most,” McKenzie stated.
Furthermore, McKenzie has ordered the publication of a comprehensive list detailing all individuals who have received funding from the department, including the amounts and reasons.
He stressed that transparency is crucial to ensuring that only those genuinely deserving receive support.
McKenzie expressed shock at the number of complaining artists who were actually receiving money from the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture.
“If you did nothing wrong or didn’t benefit untowardly you have no reason to fear, I have given a clear instruction that the public be made aware of the people that got funding, today,” he posted.
One of the superfans under scrutiny, Mama Joy Chauke, is part of a group that travelled, all expenses paid, to support Team South Africa at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Before McKenzie’s tenure, the ministry spent millions of rand flying superfans across the globe to cheer on South African teams, a perk that is now discontinued under McKenzie’s leadership.
Who is Mama Joy?
Joy ‘Mama Joy’ Chauke has become South Africa’s most famous and dedicated sports fan.
The 47-year-old Limpopo-born superfan is renowned for her flamboyant attire and passionate support of both national and local South African teams at various sporting events.
Her dedication has earned her recognition and love from sports enthusiasts worldwide.
Mama Joy has been crowned the face of the Braai Army, South Africa’s largest sports supporter group, boasting 50,000 followers globally who support the Springboks in the Rugby World Cup.
Her prominent achievements include being named Sports Fan of the Year at the 2023 Momentum GSports Awards, which honour women who have significantly impacted the sports industry.
In 2022, Mama Joy’s fame reached new heights when FIFA selected her as one of the fan ambassadors for the Soccer World Cup in Qatar, representing Africa.
Although Bafana Bafana did not qualify for the tournament, Mama Joy’s presence and enthusiastic support were a source of pride and celebration for South Africans.
Recently, Mama Joy faced allegations of being funded by the government to attend local and international games.
Democratic Alliance councillor Renaldo Gouws suggested on social media that her superfan career had been financially supported by the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture.
Mama Joy denied these claims, clarifying that the state only covered her expenses for the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.