McKenzie fires back: R700k ‘receipt’ revealed in Mama Joy World Cup row

The war of words between Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie and self-proclaimed ‘super fan’ Joy ‘Mama Joy’ Chauke has reached a boiling point.

Following claims that she was never funded by the state, the Minister has fired back with receipts, confirming the department spent R700,000 on a single trip for the supporter.

The controversy erupted this week after Mama Joy publicly criticised McKenzie for refusing to fund her travel to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America. The outspoken supporter went as far as calling for the Minister’s removal, urging the government to replace him with someone more sympathetic to the demands of prominent fans.

Government Drops R700k Bombshell Amid Mama Joy’s World Cup Demands

While Mama Joy claimed during a Metro FM interview that her previous international trips were personally funded by President Cyril Ramaphosa, Minister McKenzie has set the record straight.

Let me be clear: the President of the country did not pay for Mama Joy’s trips, despite what she may think. DSAC did. Both trips I could find info on from before my term were covered by the department. Her France trip alone cost R700k. I hope this matter can now be put to rest. https://t.co/1kWlRDAIOg

— Gayton McKenzie (@GaytonMcK) April 8, 2026

Taking to X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday, the Minister revealed that Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) records tell a very different story.

“Let me be clear, the President of the country did not pay for Mama Joy’s trips, despite what she may think,” McKenzie stated. “DSAC did. Both trips I could find info on from before my term were covered by the department. Her France trip alone cost R700k. I hope this matter can now be put to rest.”

BAFANA’S MASSIVE 2026 TASK

The funding row comes as South Africa gears up for a historic 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign. Set to run from June 11 to July 19, the tournament will be co-hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the USA.

Bafana Bafana have been drawn into a daunting Group A. In a nostalgic twist, Hugo Broos’ men will face co-hosts Mexico in the tournament’s opening match at the Estadio Azteca—a high-stakes repeat of the 2010 World Cup opener. To progress, South Africa must also navigate tough fixtures against South Korea and the Czech Republic.

Minister McKenzie has remained firm on his “no-funding” policy for so-called super fans, labelling the previous practice of “stockpiling freebies” as unfair to millions of other loyal South African supporters.

Instead of hand-picking individual fans, the Minister has proposed that PSL clubs should be the ones to nominate their most consistent supporters for potential World Cup opportunities.

For now, the message from the Ministry is clear: the era of taxpayer-funded trips for elite fans is over.

But you said 1,3 Million ,,, now is 700k ,,, thanks for letting me know ,I didn’t know ,but I insist you should have Called me and have a meeting with me ,,, ask some questions ,than to trend with my name , I still need a meeting with you , maybe you will understand 2 or More

— MamaJoy Chauke (@JoyChauke5) April 8, 2026