{"id":210793,"date":"2024-03-04T08:54:22","date_gmt":"2024-03-04T08:54:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/za\/2024\/03\/04\/netizens-divided-over-privileges-afforded-to-superfans-like-mama-joy\/"},"modified":"2024-03-04T08:54:22","modified_gmt":"2024-03-04T08:54:22","slug":"netizens-divided-over-privileges-afforded-to-superfans-like-mama-joy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/za\/2024\/03\/04\/netizens-divided-over-privileges-afforded-to-superfans-like-mama-joy\/","title":{"rendered":"Netizens divided over \u2018privileges\u2019 afforded to superfans like \u2018Mama Joy\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Mama Joy, whose true name is Joy Chauke, reportedly received R1.3 million from taxpayers to fund a trip to France for the 2023 Rugby World Cup.<\/p>\n

The well-known sports enthusiast apparently started her spectator \u2018career\u2019 over 30 years ago.<\/p>\n

Mama Joy was named Sports Fan of the Year at the 2023 Momentum GSports Awards, based to her impressive track record.<\/p>\n

The celebration honours women who have made their mark in South African and worldwide sport, recognising their achievements in a male-dominated field.<\/p>\n

However, the allegation that she got over a million rand to go to France has left a sour taste in some netizens\u2019 mouths.<\/p>\n

This all began on October 2, 2023, when an X user (previously Twitter), Renaldo Gouws claimed that Mama Joy and another ‘superfan’ had been transported to France to watch the Rugby World Cup.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was today years old when I found out that these two are paid by the Department of Sports, Arts, and Culture to go and be supporters in the stands. I am not joking, they are paid by taxpayers to go to sporting events across the world to \u201drepresent\u201c South Africa,\u201d he posted.<\/p>\n

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I was today years old when I found out that these two are paid by the Department of Sports, Arts, and Culture to go and be supporters in the stands. I'm not joking, they are paid by taxpayers to go to sporting events across the world to "represent" South Africa. pic.twitter.com\/7INHeEDg9o<\/a><\/p>\n

— Ngamla Gouws 🇿![CDATA[]]>🇦 (@RenaldoGouws) October 2, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

In another X post, Gouws stated that the department had answered to his Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) application for the abroad trip.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey spent R1,361,000 on two superfans on flights and accommodation alone, and this was just for the 2023 Rugby World Cup. How did they select them? Well, according to the Department, there is not actually an official initiative.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe \u2018superfans\u2019 managed to speak to the department at O.R. Tambo on August 28, 2023 (11 days before the tournament started) and asked if they could go. What\u2019s quite strange then is how some of these \u2018superfans\u2019 appear to always be at the right place at the right time,\u201d he wrote.<\/p>\n

Comments on the post included:<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is why Africa will never be Wakanda. The obsession with hurting white people even though its hurting you more.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis was not a good idea. But the fact it’s driving so many of you up the wall makes me happy. The department must do this even with friendly games.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow many South African sports stars are unable to live out their dreams due to lack of funding? But no, rather send \u201dsuperfans\u2019 to go and live the lavish lifestyle all over the world.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll this spending on two individuals while our National Women\u2019s Water Polo Team had to withdraw from the Olympics because of a lack of support from the government.<\/p>\n

\u201cMeanwhile the whole of South Africa: Please sir, can we have some electricity? ANC Gov: lol no, we need to spend millions to go watch the Rugby. Maybe you\u2019ll get lucky and there won’t be load shedding so you can watch it too.\u201d<\/p>\n

According to News24, the government defended its decision to support the superfans. \u201cThe department has supported many South Africans to participate in arts, music and cultural events hosted in various international platforms.<\/p>\n

“This kind of support did not start now with Mama Joy and Botha. It should also be noted that in international relations, representation and participation is critical in positioning the country to protect its national interests and influence global agendas,\u201c the department reportedly said in a statement.<\/p>\n

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