I wish they can do the same…

Masilo Machaka – Kaizer Chiefs supporter

“I know the General very well and he is one of us and someone very close. One thing that you and I know is that sport has the ability to make a difference in our communities. For me, sport should rate above everything else in life. Sport can unify people and we are here because of sport. So, whether you are an artist, musician, actor or politician, when it comes to sport, you’ll be able to get together all in the name of whatever sporting code that you follow as we can see how it is right now in the country in support of AmaBhokobhoko during this World Cup. Everybody is united in support of AmaBhokobhoko, and whether you are a DJ, journalist or whatever, as long as there is sport involved, people are able to gather all in the name of the game. It is good that our leaders like Bantu Holomisa are always at the stadiums whenever they can to support their favourite teams such as Kaizer Chiefs. It is people like them who understand the importance of being at the stadium to support their favourite teams because doing so makes a huge difference to the players. Having said this, I am still crying that in South Africa we aren’t into sports in the way that I think we should. I just wish more and more people out there can realise the role that sports can play in influencing other people’s lives. I applaud leaders like Bantu Holomisa and others who go out of their way to support their favourite clubs because by doing so, they lea d th e way, and the onus is on everyone else to follow suit. I do get surprised when I come across people and ask if they have a South African flag at home and they tell me, ‘No.’ I ask myself as to what the reason could be because in my opinion, everyone should have it for when they need to support the country’s national teams, whether it is football, rugby, cricket or any other. A football match only takes about 90 minutes and I see no reason why people shouldn’t go to the stadium to watch a match. It is encouraging to see our leaders, like Mr. Holomisa, showing passion for the sport and their favourite clubs, and we appreciate when we see them with us at the stadium whenever they can, and we wish they could continue like that to encourage fans on the ground to also come out. Like they always ask us to go and vote when it is time for elections, I wish they can do the same to encourage the supporters to go to the stadiums.