‘I’m going to Paris, no matter what anyone says’

July 10, 2024 219

Most loved sports super fan, Mama Joy Chauke, says come hell or high water she is heading to the Paris Olympics later this month.

Mama Joy has been the talk of the town, also trending for the past few days on X, after Sport, Arts and Culture Minister, Gayton McKenzie, announced that he will stop super fans from going to sporting events.

She and Botha Msila are the most known super fans and have been seen at many sporting events and now recently at the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.

Speaking exclusively to YNews, Chauke says as long as the Minister hasn’t spoken to her, she is adamant that she will be in Paris to support Team SA.

Thanks To My God and My Ancestors and to all People who support Sport out there let not Poverty and Jeolousy to stand in your way to support what you like ,,,Thanks for loving Mamajoy ,,loko ku ri hi ku ku bula hi Mina Swi endla mi tlela mi dyini qhubekan pic.twitter.com/sztWo5Qc4t

— MamaJoy Chauke (@JoyChauke5) July 10, 2024

It remains to be seen whether Mama Joy will manage to secure funding for the upcoming Olympics in Paris after she yesterday posted on X, with the assumption that she will be heading there.

Good Luck Team SA ,,,,, Olympics Paris 2024 pic.twitter.com/qin4h51xkM

— MamaJoy Chauke (@JoyChauke5) July 8, 2024

She says all she wants to do is to showcase her love for sports.

On X, McKenzie said the money for the fans’ travelling will be used to address other issues.

“We have athletes and artist who are struggling to raise money to attend sporting events and exhibitions, how do we justify paying for fans? We shall no longer be paying for these trips and will use that money where it’s needed the most.”

Many South Africans have come to her defense, saying she’s a national sport symbol who represents the country’s passion for the game.

They say the Minister is just targeting Mama Joy and playing to the gallery.

She did her party she made me love all South African sports regardless what all you are saying about her I say thank you for make the sports beautiful dankoo mama joy.

— Xolani twala (@t11246818) July 10, 2024

You are very naive and envious. Mama Joy & other super fans are playing an important role in our sports and its marketing, the role that led to their recognition as super fans. I know that Gayton will reconsider his views and decision on the super fans.

— Sello Tsolo (@skhalos23) July 10, 2024

Because she is good at it. Listen to yourself and imagine doing what mama Joy does with the happiness and exhuberancy. See you can’t. There is a reason why she is picked on every match in a stadium with 60K people. She is a magnet and does it for herself and SA.

— Tendai (@Zimrevolution1) July 10, 2024

Mama Joy she will remain as super fan of RSA sports, ministers us our money to pay for their families and friends on trips… Minister must investigate offices of all sports get also money statement of the previous.

— Mošimaneomosese®🚶 (@Mantsha15892333) July 10, 2024

Yall leave mama joy alone 😢

— Zuzo_MistyEyes🇿🇦 |-/ 🤘🌻🌸 (@MphoZuzo) July 10, 2024

The ANC Youth League (ANCYL) also weighed in on the issue.

The young lions say creatives and artists such as Mama Joy play a crucial role in nation-building, economic growth, and development.

“The Department of Sports, Arts, and Culture’s primary role is to create a nurturing environment for our creatives and artists, offering them the support they need to excel. This includes recognizing and celebrating superfans like Mama Joy Chauke, who passionately support our national teams.”

However, some agree with the new Minister of Sport and say the money spent on the super fans should be redirected.

A single trip of Mama Joy could allow department to host a regional public school tournament. A single trip. That’s says a lot about previous Ministers. Many sport code struggle to get funds to represent the country while we are busy flying someone to meet boyfriends.

— Matshaya, Doyi (@Maliqo) July 10, 2024

When I see our children play barefoot on gravel fields or athletes raising their own funds to travel or teams working full time
Jobs and still representing our country then absolutely have no time for 1 person like Mama Joy.

— Mr E – imvu emnyama (@Sparx_e) July 10, 2024

The statement of the ANCYL shouldn’t defend individuals at the expense of tje majority South African population and youth in particular. The question that they needed to pose was that in what way did tje funding of Mama Joy and a few benefitted South African youth economically.

— ncnywagi@gmail com (@ncnywagi) July 10, 2024

Invaluable? Please be serious. Is Handré Pollard looking for for Mama Joy bebefore making a kick? Is someone gonna see Mama Joy and then rush to get a ticket to come here for holiday?

Is Mama Joy a better ambassador for South Africa than struggling athletes?

— Bene and the Gets 🇵🇸 (@TheDeltango) July 10, 2024