By Charmaine Ndlela
Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, has announced a nationwide fan competition that will see 16 supporters, one from each Premier Soccer League club, win an all-expenses-paid trip to the FIFA World Cup in Mexico.
Speaking at a media briefing on Thursday, McKenzie said the “Lucky Fan Programme” will cover flights, accommodation, ground transport and daily allowances, with government assisting with visa facilitation and match ticket allocation.
Fans must submit a 30-second video explaining why they are their club’s biggest supporter.
Winners will be selected by a judging panel that includes prominent sports personalities such as Robert Marawa, Andile Ncube and Vino Snap.
McKenzie called on the media to help spread the word, saying the aim is to give every qualifying South African a fair chance to represent their club on the global stage.
Beyond the competition, the minister outlined an extensive cultural and sporting programme linked to the World Cup.
He confirmed that leading South African groups Mafikizolo and Mi Casa will headline performances on international stages.
Mafikizolo will mark 30 years in the music industry in 2026, while Mi Casa celebrates 15 years.
McKenzie described the groups as part of “the soundtrack of modern South Africa,” highlighting their role in shaping the country’s musical identity across generations and continents.
The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, in partnership with Brand South Africa and South African Tourism, will host the Ekhaya Centre in Mexico City from 7 to 12 June at the Centro Nacional de las Artes.
The Ekhaya Centre will serve as a fan park, media hub and cultural exhibition space, offering football screenings alongside South African food, music and art.
It will also support journalists covering Bafana Bafana’s campaign.
South Africa will further participate at the Aldea Global Centre in Mexico City, where exhibitions from all 48 participating nations will be showcased.
Up to 20 South African artists are expected to perform across these platforms, promoting local talent to a global audience.
Additional activation centres will be set up in cities including Atlanta and Monterrey, aligned with Bafana Bafana’s match schedule.
McKenzie emphasised that the World Cup is not only a sporting event but a cultural moment, with government also supporting chefs, podcasters and journalists to represent South Africa internationally.
He also called on musicians to record a World Cup song, which will be played at the Union Buildings, as part of efforts to build national excitement and unity around the tournament.
“To those going to Mexico, you are not going to cover a holiday—you are going to render a service to your country,” McKenzie said.
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