Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie has refused to fund superfan Joy “Mama Joy” Chauke’s trip to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, ending a practice that previously cost taxpayers more than R1,3 million for a single sporting event.

The decision has sparked a public dispute between the minister and Chauke, who took to social media asking for help to attend the World Cup after McKenzie declined to provide government funding.

“@GaytonMcK won’t pay for fans especially Mamajoy,” she posted, later adding: “Let’s just pray for the president to give us a new minister of sport that loves fans.”

McKenzie responded by telling Chauke to ask her French husband to pay for the trip. “We got you your husband my sister, let him pay… the Euro is very strong. Frenchmen are known to be romantic, let him pay Sista Joy,” he posted.

The minister’s stance marks a reversal of previous government policy. In 2023, the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture paid for Chauke and fellow superfan Botha Msila to attend the Rugby World Cup in France, covering their flights and accommodation.

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Civil rights organisation AfriForum later revealed through a Promotion of Access to Information Act request that the trip cost taxpayers R1 361 283.

AfriForum campaign officer Charné Mostert condemned the expenditure as a misappropriation of public funds. “Politically connected people live in luxury on taxpayers’ accounts while many South Africans live in poverty,” Mostert said, noting the amount exceeded many citizens’ annual earnings.

The organisation lodged complaints with the Information Regulator and the Public Protector over the matter.

The department had then however defended the 2023 decision, citing Chauke’s passion for sport and its impact, whilst clarifying that the superfans were not paid salaries to attend the games. The department said it was the first time it had financed a trip for supporters, despite the duo having appeared at many previous games.

McKenzie, who assumed office in July 2024, has since announced the government will no longer fund fans’ trips to sporting events, redirecting resources toward athletes instead.

A recent digital platform poll on this matter showed that the majority of South African’s agree that Mama Joy must not be funded with taxpayers money.

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