Cape Town – President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on South Africans to unite behind Bafana Bafana as the national team prepares for its return to the FIFA World Cup for the first time since South Africa hosted the tournament in 2010.
The call comes after the team’s departure for its pre-tournament training camp in Mexico was delayed by visa-related issues.
Bafana Bafana were scheduled to leave on a charter flight on Sunday for an altitude training camp in Pachuca, Mexico. However, the squad was unable to depart as planned due to visa complications.
Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie confirmed on Sunday night that all players had since secured their United States visas and would depart on Monday, a day later than originally scheduled.
Despite the setback, excitement continues to build ahead of Bafana Bafana’s World Cup campaign.
In his weekly newsletter on Monday, Ramaphosa urged South Africans to show their support for the national team.
“I call on all South Africans to rally behind our team and show their support. Let us wear the team colours and fly the flag,” he said.
The President credited the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, the South African Football Association (Safa), football leagues, clubs and sponsors for their long-term commitment to developing the sport in the country.
“The coach and the players deserve our collective recognition,” Ramaphosa said.
All @BafanaBafana players received their visas to travel to the USA, outstanding is assistant coach, team doctor, head of security and one analyst. The charter will leave tomorrow.
— Gayton McKenzie (@GaytonMcK) May 31, 2026
He added that efforts to professionalise football, develop emerging talent and promote the sport among young people in communities across the country remain ongoing.
“Bafana Bafana will be ambassadors for our country and what we stand for. The diversity of the squad and technical team is a reminder to the world that we are a united nation of many races, languages and cultures,” he said.
Ramaphosa acknowledged that many South Africans hope to see the team lift the trophy but stressed that their participation in the tournament carries significance beyond results on the pitch.
“Yet regardless of how Bafana Bafana fare in the tournament, their participation is as rich with meaning as the 1995 Rugby World Cup,” he said.
The President said the tournament presents an opportunity for South Africans to celebrate the country’s progress in building a united, non-racial, non-sexist and democratic society.
“So as we cheer our team on from the stands, at fan zones and in our homes, we should also cheer ourselves on as a country. We should celebrate how far we have come in building a united, non-racial, non-sexist and democratic South Africa,” he said.
Ramaphosa concluded by encouraging South Africans to put aside their differences and unite behind the national team.
“For 90 minutes, as they play for our country, we will not be divided by language, race, province, club or circumstance. For 90 minutes, as they play, we will simply be South Africans standing together behind our national team and behind our flag.
He added: “One Team. One Nation. Behind Bafana. Behind South Africa. United by our Flag, inspired by our Team. 62 million cheering voices. One Dream.”
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Compiled by Glaan Sibuyi
