By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Department of Sports, Arts and Culture defended its decision to fund super fans Joy Chauke and Botha Msila to attend the Rugby World Cup in France.
The two came under criticism after it was revealed their trips to France, and the men’s and women’s football World Cups in Qatar and Australia and New Zealand, were paid for by the department of sports, arts and culture.
One of the people who criticised Chauke and Msila was Gqeberha Democratic Alliance (DA) councillor Renaldo Gouws, who came to prominence in 2019 after his social media rant about local music icon Danny K’s anti-racism sentiments.
“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,” Gouws posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.
In a statement on Wednesday, the department said: “The department is noting with concern the negative reactions and comments by some South Africans concerning the presence of Mama Joy Chauke and Botha Msila at the 2023 Rugby World Cup to support the Springboks and raise the South African flag.”
“It’s concerning that when the world recognises their presence, thus celebrating the contribution of South African supporters at the World Cup, two of South Africa’s superfans are receiving criticism and insults from within the country.”
Meanwhile the DA says it will introduce a Private Member’s Bill in Parliament to enable the Springboks and Proteas to continue using the national flag at sporting events.
This comes as Springboks and Proteas are at risk of being unable to fly the South African flag.
The two teams could be forced to play under a neutral flag at their respective World Cups and not be allowed to sing the national anthem.
The Department of Sports, Arts and Culture has 10 days to update the Anti-Doping Act to comply with the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) regulations adopted in 2021.
“For our national sports teams to be at the risk of not hoisting our flag at the respective World Cups – which are the biggest stage in sports competitions – due to the ANC government’s incompetence will be a major embarrassment,” says DA national spokesperson Solly Malatsi.
“With the deadline looming, Minister Zizi Kodwa’s blatant abdication once again smacks of ANC incompetence and a government that destroys everything it touches. The Minister has a lot to answer for as his government continues to embarrass our national teams on the global stage.”
Malatsi says the party will be introducing a Private Members Bill.
“We will also introduce a Private Members Bill to ensure that these government failings do not continue to strip South Africans of their pride and what unites us as a diverse nation. The SA flag and national anthem embodies our rich history and hope for the future.”