'My lucky charm was not there': Mama Joy blames Springboks' loss on her absence in Durban

15 July 2024 - 16:00
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Mama Joy during the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup match between Argentina and South Africa at Dunedin Stadium.
Mama Joy during the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup match between Argentina and South Africa at Dunedin Stadium.
Image: Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix

South African superfan Joy “Mama Joy” Chauke, known for her unwavering support of national sports teams, believes her absence at Kings Park Stadium in Durban led to the Springboks' loss to Ireland in the second Test.

Earlier this month, minister of sport, arts and culture Gayton McKenzie cancelled sponsorship of fans’ trips to support national teams.

Chauke previously benefited from the department, which sometimes financed her travel to watch various national teams at local and international tournaments.

“Mama Joy's ⁦Springboks⁩ lucky charm was not there. [In the] previous game I was on [a] fast and pray[ed] for my team, but today I ate pap and vleis in the morning and during the game I was snacking.

“Next game, let's bet, if I am there we will win the game,” Chauke said after the Springboks' narrow 25-24 loss to Ireland.

Chauke believes she is the “lucky charm” for the Boks and prophesied about the loss.

“You heard a prophetic message from me yesterday, meaning ‘[if] I don't go to Durban, the Springboks will lose the game. Today [Saturday], the Springboks lost 25-24 against Ireland.”

She said McKenzie should realise her “influence” in games.

“The minister of sports has to understand that Mama Joy has a lot of influence with sports, with the Springboks.”

In a subsequent tweet, she said she was offered a chance to attend the game by an event supporters' group, Braai Army, but she declined.

“I want to thank the Braai Army, Dan and Major. Let the good Lord and my ancestors bless you. You invited me to Durban and were ready to assist with transport, ticket and accommodation [costs], but I declined and watched on TV.”

TimesLIVE previously reported the department spent R1.3m on accommodation and travel costs for Chauke and Botha Msila's trip to the Rugby World Cup in France.

During an interview with SABC, McKenzie said South Africa has a lot of superfans to be sponsoring the same people and paying R1.3m to Mama Joy for trips was “unjustifiable”.

Though Chauke does not fully agree with McKenzie's decision to stop financing superfans, she expressed her love for the minister on Twitter.

“I love my minister,” she tweeted.

Social media fans reacted to Mama Joy’s claims, and many think she is exaggerating. Here are more reactions from X:


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