Football enthusiast Mama Joy Chauke hosted an energetic farewell for Banyana Banyana at OR Tambo International Airport on Saturday as the defending Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) champions prepared for their trip to Morocco.
Dressed in her trademark South African colours, adorned with face paint and vibrant beaded decorations, Mama Joy energized the crowd with songs, dances, and chants as Banyana Banyana got ready to set off for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.
As a supporter of the reigning African champions, the country’s most famous superfan urged South Africans to unite behind the national team.
“Our focus is now 100% on Banyana Banyana,” she stated.
“They’ve done it before, and they can do it again. To qualify for the FIFA Women’s World Cup they’ll have to fight even harder, but we believe in them. They’ll show Africa once again why South Africa belongs among the continent’s best.”
The spirited send-off also celebrated the launch of Goals 4 Pads, a partnership between SAFA and Stayfree. For each goal scored by Banyana Banyana during the tournament, 1,000 packs of sanitary pads will be donated to schools, football academies, and community organizations across South Africa.
SAFA CEO Lydia Monyepao explained that this initiative goes beyond mere sponsorship; it represents an investment in the future of girls’ football.
“For us, this is about removing barriers. Many young girls cannot afford sanitary pads. Some stay away from football because of it, while others are unable to perform at their best. Through this partnership, we’re creating opportunities for more girls to stay in the game and chase their dreams,” she commented.
Stayfree Brand Manager Zamashandu Mbatha supported this view, stating that the brand’s collaboration with Banyana Banyana is driven by a meaningful purpose.
“Women’s football remains underfunded, and we wanted to invest where it truly matters. Banyana Banyana represent resilience, excellence and hope for young girls across South Africa, making them the perfect partners for this campaign,” she noted.
Midfielder Noxolo Cesane recognized the challenges ahead but is confident in the team’s readiness to compete.
“It’s going to be a tough tournament because every team is going there to compete. We’ve prepared well, and the most important thing now is staying mentally strong,” she explained.
As Banyana Banyana travel to Morocco with the aim of defending their continental title and attaining qualification for the next FIFA Women’s World Cup, their mission transcends the sport: they intend to use each goal to empower more girls to stay in school, engage in sports, and pursue their aspirations.
