Poet and actress Botlhale Boikanyo expressed her joy after performing her poetry at the Soweto Derby this past Saturday.
Boikanyo posted a clip from the event online, conveying her appreciation for the chance to present her art at one of the most significant sports events in South Africa.
Botlhale Boikanyo reflects on her Soweto Derby performance
The television personality mentioned that she had the privilege of welcoming French football icon Thierry Henry as he stepped onto the field.
“A dream! Yesterday, I got to take my poetry to the Soweto Derby,” she wrote, captioning the video.
Boikanyo noted that she had journeyed to the 2026 FIFA World Cup this year “to amplify the voices of women and girls in sports.”
Performing at the Soweto Derby after her trip to the World Cup felt like a significant milestone for her.
“To now find myself on a stage of this magnitude, using my own voice to contribute to a moment in our sporting history, feels incredibly full circle,” she wrote.
She underscored the significance of incorporating poetry into major sporting events.
“I’m reminded that our voices can take us to places we never imagined, and that poetry belongs in every space where stories are being told and history is being made🎤,” she wrote.
“Forever grateful for the work, the opportunities, and every stage that allows me to do what I love,” she added.
The 2026 Soweto Derby took place at FNB Stadium in Nasrec, Johannesburg, where Orlando Pirates triumphed over Kaizer Chiefs with a score of 2-1. Yanela Mbuthuma and Tshepang Moremi netted goals for the Buccaneers, while Pule Mmodi scored the lone goal for the Chiefs.
