Mama Joy touched down in Mexico City ahead of Bafana Bafana’s opening 2026 FIFA World Cup clash against hosts Mexico at Estadio Azteca.
By Bulelwa Hoala
South African football superfan Joy Chauke, popularly known as Mama Joy, has arrived in Mexico ahead of Bafana Bafana’s opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Bafana Bafana will take on Mexico on Thursday, 11 June 2026, at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City in one of the tournament’s most anticipated opening fixtures.
According to flight details shared by Chauke on social media, she travelled on a British Airways flight via London from OR Tambo International Airport earlier this week.
“I have landed in Mexico to support Bafana Bafana,” Chauke said.
“I am here to support Bafana Bafana and interact with other fans from various countries,” she added.
I have landed in Mexico to support Bafana Bafana , pic.twitter.com/MIcKzKwAVL
— MamaJoy Chauke (@JoyChauke5) June 10, 2026
From public spat to private sponsorship
Chauke’s trip comes weeks after she publicly criticised the Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie for refusing to fund supporters travelling to the World Cup.
The disagreement sparked a social media exchange, with McKenzie suggesting that Chauke use her French husband’s Euros to cover the cost of the trip.
Chauke later revealed that she had secured her World Cup travel through a private sponsorship agreement as a brand ambassador for sportswear label abOVEnormal, a black-owned South African sports and fitness brand founded by Masingita Masunga.
According to reports, Mama Joy is expected to attend all three of Bafana Bafana’s group-stage matches across Mexico and the United States.
Bafana Bafana’s World Cup fixtures
- 11 June: South Africa vs Mexico – Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, Mexico
- 18 June: South Africa vs Czechia – Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, United States
- 24 June: South Africa vs South Korea – Estadio BBVA, Guadalupe, Mexico
Who is Mama Joy?
Mama Joy is South Africa’s most recognisable sports superfan and has become a familiar face at major sporting events thanks to her colourful outfits, face paint and energetic support.
She first rose to prominence as an Orlando Pirates supporter before later throwing her support behind Royal AM, the club previously owned by Shauwn Mkhize.
In 2023, it emerged that the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture spent about R800 000 on her travel and accommodation to support the Springboks at the Rugby World Cup in France.
The revelation sparked widespread debate about the use of taxpayers’ money to fund supporters attending international sporting events.
READ NEXT: Bafana Bafana vs Mexico: Where to watch the World Cup opener in Johannesburg
The post PICS: Mama Joy arrives in Mexico ahead of Bafana Bafana’s World Cup opener appeared first on KAYA 959.
