In the vast tapestry of the nation’s sport, where coaches are the strategists and athletes are the stars, there exists a crucial but often overlooked character, or in this case, one who has become a household name and is a brand in her own right, South Africa’s Super Fan and three-time gsport Supporter of the Year Award winner, Mama Joy Chauke.
Clad in team colours, her passion embodies the spirit and soul of the game itself, and her unwavering loyalty and fervent enthusiasm transforms watching a match into visual spectacle of emotions.
Reflecting on her winning on the Momentum gsport Awards stage in 2015, 2016 and 2023, Mama Joy felt it changed her life in ways she could have never imagined.
“When I won in 2015, I was surprised, but when I won again in 2016, it became a monumental moment in my life.
“I realised that I could do good by supporting girls and women’s sport. Being a winner at gsport awarded me opportunities to do better and become better at what I do,” she said.
2015, 2016 and 2023 Supporter of the Year Award winner, Mama Joy Chauke
“It is important that we support women’s sport. Our girls and ladies need the support as much as the men’s teams. It gives them more hope and it makes them feel like they can achieve the impossible when fans show up to support them.”
Having attended the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in New Zealand and Australia, how does Joy Chauke takes the fiesta of South Africa and Africa to the world?
“I have special dresses made in my favourite colours, that showcase the vibrancy of our country and heritage. When I was at the stadiums watching Banyana Banyana, I had locals come up to me for a photo. One little girl, came up to me said she had told her mum, she wanted to come to the stadium as she wanted a photo with the lady from Africa. For me, that was truly so heartwarming.”
As a much-loved sporting icon in a supporter’s role, Joy Chauke has become a globe trotter under the banner of SAFA, SARU, Netball South Africa, Boxing SA and #TeamSA. She has attended the FIFA Men’s and Women’s Football World Cups, WAFCON, AFCON, Netball World Cup Qualifiers to name just a few, truly a household name and face that pops up on our screens.
But where did her supporters’ journey begin? A supporter’s journey begins long before each match day, and Mama Joy’s love for sport is proof of that.
Her journey began at a very early age, when her late father used to take her to football matches, and her passion over the years grew until she started supporting the Orlando Pirates team.
“I remember so clearly, I wanted to support my team (Pirates) but I also wanted to look my best. In looking my best, I know the cameras would find me, and I would become known as the girl who shows up every time for her team, and that is how I began showing love and support for my teams,” she said.
Nowadays, Chauke lives and breathes the highs and lows of each season, be it netball, rugby, football, or cricket. She celebrates victories as if they were personal triumphs, and mourns defeats with a sense of immense loss.
The 2023 Rugby World Cup that was held in France was one such heart-stopping emotional rollercoaster not just for her but the entire nation. Those final moments evoke raw emotions that very few other experiences can replicate.
“Yoh – the semi-final, I could not watch! I was so stressed! Then it was the finals, our boys they know how to stress us out in winning by just one point. It was the best feeling, and to share those moments with the team was so special. Bonding with fellow fans over shared elation is a wonderful experience,” she exclaimed fondly.
Every supporter has their rituals, from pre-match game superstitions, to post-match analysis, these traditions are sacrosanct. These rituals are not just habits they are manifestations of hope and belief in the power of their support and passion for their team.
“On match days, I fast. I will not eat or drink anything until the match is over. It is a ritual that I have had since my young days and I believe in it.”
“Being a supporter is hard work. You need to constantly work at it. You need to show up for every match, every media launch and cheer your team irrespective of what the outcome may be.”
In the grand theatre of sports, supports play a role that goes beyond mere spectatorship. Chauke believes that the more we support our girls and ladies, the more they will rise. We are the twelfth woman on the field, but it needs to be consistent.
As we celebrate the achievements of athletes and the strategies of coaches, let us also acknowledge and appreciate the vital role of sports supporters like Joy Chauke, the true guardians of the spirit of the game.
Photo Caption: In the vast tapestry of the nation’s sport, a familiar and welcoming character has become a household name and a brand in her own right, South Africa’s Super Fan and three-time gsport Supporter of the Year recipient, Mama Joy Chauke. All photos: Supplied
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