Former Orlando Pirates fan Mama Joy has ruffled DA member Renaldo Gouws’ feathers once again following her Springboks and Proteas post.
Councilman Renaldo Gouws of the Democratic Alliance (DA) has attacked South African superfan Joy “Mama Joy” Chauke once more, this time for a post she made on social media platform X that showed the Springboks and Proteas.
Mama Joy, a fan of Royal AM FC, mockingly tweeted after the Springboks’ 12-11 victory over the All Blacks on Saturday at the Stade de France that she is prepared to travel to India, where the Proteas are,
presently taking part in the World Cup of Cricket.
“Our trophy has returned. Can I travel to India? “@cricketworldcup, I need your vote,” she wrote.
Gouws answered her by saying, “Jirrr. What if we took a cue from the Springboks and prioritized the country? Would you mind giving up your spot, or at least offering to pay for a young cricket player to go and support his country? You have attended the Olympics in Rio as well as five World Cups. When is enough of anything?”
A day later, the lawmaker demanded to know why Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture Zizi Kodwa had not responded to inquiries regarding superfan funding sent through parliament to his office.
SPORTS DEPARTMENT LASHES BACK AT GOUWS
Gouws has implied in his posts that Mama Joy’s superfan career has been supported by the Department of Sports, Arts, and Culture ever since the Rugby World Cup tournament began in September. Gouws has additionally stated that he opposes Mama Joy being the only sports fan to attend important games “at taxpayer expense.”
“Mama Joy has represented taxpayers at three events over the last 12 months: World Cups for soccer in Qatar, women’s soccer in New Zealand, and rugby in France So there’s no space for more “superfans”? The same Tannie every time? Doesn’t that sound a little unfair? Gouws stated.
Mama Joy and Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture Zizi Kodwa retaliated in a statement, disputing his claims and asserting that his department has only covered the costs of travel and lodging in France for the tournament.
“Mama Joy is now the public face of the French Braai Army. In a setting where men predominate, she is elevating women’s agency and voice. It is not right for South Africans who are unwilling to change to bully and insult a woman who has established herself as a superfan of all sports from the bottom up by using the Rugby World Cup to further their underlying racism and patriarchal tendencies.
