World Cup dream awaits 20 lucky Bafana fans

Inside_Politics — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 09:38:28 +0000

By Lebone Rodah Mosima

The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) has launched a competition that will send 20 South African football supporters to the 2026 FIFA World Cup to watch one of Bafana Bafana’s group-stage matches live.

The department said on Wednesday that the Mzansi to the World Cup “Lucky Fans” Competition was aimed at celebrating the country’s football culture and giving ordinary fans “a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience the 2026 FIFA World Cup live”.

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The World Cup will be jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, with the tournament scheduled to kick off on 11 June 2026. Bafana Bafana are due to open the tournament against Mexico at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.

“Through this competition, twenty (20) passionate South African supporters will be selected to travel to either the United States or Mexico to attend one of Bafana Bafana’s group-stage matches,” the department said.

It said the initiative formed part of its commitment to using sport to unite the country, promote national pride and showcase South Africa’s energy and spirit on the global stage.

Fans from all 16 PSL clubs will be able to represent their teams, while additional wildcard entries will be included to ensure supporters without club affiliations also have a chance to participate.

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“To enter, members of the public are required to visit the official DSAC website, where they can access the submission link and competition details,” the department said.

Participants must upload a 30-second video at https://dsacevents.dsac.gov.za/DSAC_LuckyFan_WC26/ showing their passion for football, club loyalty and why they believe they deserve to represent South Africa at the World Cup.

Entries opened at 8am on Wednesday, 29 April and will close at 5pm on Friday, 1 May 2026.

Winners will receive a fully sponsored travel package, including international flights, accommodation, match tickets and ground transport.

The winners will be announced on 5 May 2026 at 8am.

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MK Party accuses PA of meddling in sport department hiring

Inside_Politics — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 13:09:22 +0000

By Thapelo Molefe

The uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK) has accused the Patriotic Alliance of attempting to influence recruitment processes within the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, saying the alleged conduct is inappropriate and harmful to job seekers.

In a media statement issued on Tuesday, the MK Party said it “rejects” the Patriotic Alliance’s “posturing as a job recruitment agency” for the department.

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The party claims the controversy stems from a social media post by a senior Patriotic Alliance official who allegedly invited party members to submit their personal details directly to her after applying for government posts through official channels.

According to the MK Party’s national spokesperson, Nhlamulo Ndhlela, the issue was initially raised by one of its MPs during a portfolio committee meeting, but no response was provided by the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie.

The party further alleged that the social media post in question was later deleted following scrutiny.

“At a time when millions of South Africans are struggling to find work, any instance where political actors insert themselves into recruitment processes is not only inappropriate, it is an insult to every honest job seeker,” Ndhlela said.

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The MK Party criticised what it described as the Minister’s failure to act decisively, saying the lack of response “fails to appreciate the seriousness of the matter” and amounts to “silence and deflection”.

Ndhlela said that political involvement in hiring processes risks undermining public institutions and eroding trust in government. He added that such actions could create perceptions of political favouritism and potentially open the door to patronage.

“The Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, and any other department, is not the Patriotic Alliance’s job den, reserved for its members,” he said.

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“Those listed jobs are for all job seekers across the country, regardless of political affiliation.”

The party has called on McKenzie to clarify whether any political office-bearers had access to applicants’ information, to ensure recruitment processes are protected from political interference, and to reaffirm a zero-tolerance stance on patronage in hiring.

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World Cup dream awaits 20 lucky Bafana fans

MK Party accuses PA of meddling in sport department hiring