Banyana’s triumph not Bafana’s failure

We are always urged to treat our own children equally, thus ensuring that there is no parental favouritism.

This is done to ensure that children don’t grow up thinking they are less worthy than their siblings. It also does away with the possibility of sibling rivalry arising from the situation.

On this note, I would like to reflect on Banyana Banyana’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations triumph, which saw them crowned Africa champions. We are proud of the girls and their milestone achievement. Their victory means a lot to us as a nation, and to them as women.

Before winning this year’s trophy, Banyana had been runners-up five times. This shows that through determination, people can turn their misfortune around.

The girls proved that success is failure turned inside out. Let me point out that we can congratulate Banyana without ridiculing Bafana Bafana. Yes, the male national team is going through a difficult phase but they need our support. No one dons the national team jersey and decides to produce poor performances on purpose. There is no need to compare the two teams because, instead of cursing Bafana, we need to give them the same support accorded to Banyana.

At some point they were a great team that was crowned champions of Africa, but things have since taken a nosedive. By mentioning Bafana every time we congratulate Banyana, we are actually unconsciously stealing the girls’ limelight.

Let the current focus be on the girl child and not the boy child. Let Banyana’s victory propel Bafana to also do well.