South Africa's most-recognised football fan Joy Chauke, popularly known as 'Mama Joy', has responded to allegations that he is getting a salary from Royal AM.
Chauke recently dominated the news after Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, announced that he would cut funding trips for sports super-fans.
Mama Joy responded by saying she's always been using her own money to finance overseas trips in support of South African national teams in different sporting codes.
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This has raised questions on whether the former Buccaneer is being paid by Thwihli Thwahla owner Shauwn Mkhize for supporting her club.
Speaking exclusively to this website, Mama Joy couldn't deny or admit if she was being remunerated for supporting her favorite club.
"I met with the Sports Minister, and we greeted each other. I don't want to get into too many details because I have put that stage behind me, and I'm still standing as a supporter," Chauke tells KickOff.
"Whether you call me a super-fan or whatever, I'm still standing and not going anywhere. I'm a proud Thwihli Thwahla supporter.
"It's not about getting a salary, it's about loving a team. I have to belong somewhere. I can't love sport and not belong.
"I was a [Orlando] Pirates supporter and now I'm a Thwihli Thwahla. I didn't apply to get paid by Thwihli Thwahla. I just want to support a team that is led by a woman.
"I'm not talking about a salary, I'm talking about the love I have for Thwihli Thwahla, the love I have for MaMkhize," she explains.
Chauke says she is looking forward to the 2024/25 Betway Premiership season, which is set to begin on 14 September.
"We are back from the Olympics; now it's time for Thwihli Thwahla. I'm happy because we are using young boys, so the transfer ban is not affecting us that much. We will still be able to compete as you witnessed in the [KZN] Premier's Cup," she says.
"This is the season we will finish in the Top Eight; we will come back stronger. Those who have already written our obituary will be disappointed. I trust MaMkhize. If you want to get it done, send a woman.
"I'm still standing by Thwihli Thwahla to support another woman, I joined Royal AM to support another woman. We will come out of this FIFA ban together. We love Thwihli Thwahla."