She embodies the spirit of a good sport.
Known to all for her zealous love for sports, Mama Joy Chauke is a diehard soccer supporter, who was also recently seen cheering behind the stands for local teams or African teams in Qatar or the Women's World Cup in Australia.
It's no surprise that she is now on the stadium seats cheering the Springboks at the Rugby World Cup in France. The Boks are the Webb Ellis trophy defending champions and they won 18-0 against Scotland in their first game and Mama Joy, donned in her green and gold regalia, witnessed the victory.
The Springboks won the RWC in 2019 after a stellar triumph against England, making them champions after 12 years.
Mama Joy's love for soccer reportedly grew from a very young age. She was a Netball captain at Shingwedzi High School while supporting their soccer team. Now, she is often seen wearing colourful regalia in support of her favourite team and always cheering and singing along with fellow soccer fans.
Here are five facts about superfan Mama Joy:
1. Born in Limpopo, lives in Soweto
Mama Joy was born in Malamulela, Limpopo. She began supporting sports and travelling with teams as early as four-years-old. She now resides in Dobsonville, Soweto, with her son Chad and granddaughter Xila.
2. Orlando Pirates diehard fan
The soccer fanatic was a die-hard Orlando Pirates Football Club supporter for over 30 years. She was known for attending most of their games, win or lose.
3. Switched alliances
Mama Joy took her loyalty to the woman-owned football club Royal AM. Shauwn Mkhize formed Royal AM after she bought out Bloemfontein Celtic.
Speaking to Newzroom Afrika in 2021, Mama Joy said, “As hard as it is, I am leaving Orlando Pirates. I want to support MaMkhize as a woman in football and I want to support Royal AM."
4. Special invitation
The football fanatic was one of several special guests from around the world invited by Fifa and Qatar’s Supreme Committee to represent Africa at the soccer spectacle in 2022.
5. 'Best superfan' award
She scooped the award for ‘best superfan’ at a Fifa Fan Leader Network awards held during the World Cup in Qatar.
