SPORT, Arts and Culture Minister Zizi Kodwa says Mzansi must stop attacking Mama Joy Chauke and Botha Msila.
This is because people have been asking why they are at the Rugby World Cup in France as the Bokke supporters. They have been receiving negative comments from supporters of the sport because they're known as soccer supporters, not rugby supporters.
The minister said the duo plays a big role in South African sports, and they should be supported, not ridiculed.
He said that Mama Joy and Botha are recognised as the epitome of promoting a winning, active, and inspiring nation.
"The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture is noting with concern the negative reactions and comments by some South Africans concerning the presence of Mama Joy Chauke and Mr 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," the statement read.
The minister said taking Mama Joy and Botha to France helps them with international relations, and it's not right that South Africans are not supporting it.
"The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, as part of its international relations work and responsibility, is committed to creating global platforms for South Africans to promote people-to-people cooperation, collaboration, and partnership. Mama Joy has become the face of the Braai Army in France," he said.
ALSO READ: Promoter: King Monada owes me
Kodwa said Mama Joy is raising the agency and voice of women in a male-dominated environment.
"It can't be correct for South Africans that are refusing change to use the Rugby World Cup to push their underlying racism and patriarchal tendencies to bully and insult a woman who has built a profile as a superfan across all sporting codes from bottom-up," he said.
The minister also revealed that they've supported many other people before, and it's not just starting with them.
"The department has supported many South Africans to participate in arts, music and cultural events hosted on various international platforms. This kind of support didn't start now with Mama Joy and Botha," Kodwa said.
