Announcement of winners of the Mzansi to the world cup lucky fans competition.
This competition was about more than just winning a trip. It was about giving a platform to the voices of our people — the fans who stand by their teams through every victory and every challenge
Programme Director,
Members of the media,
Fellow South Africans,
Today is a proud and exciting moment for our country. Today, we celebrate the power of football to unite, inspire, and take ordinary South Africans onto the world stage.
A few days ago, we launched the Mzansi to the World Cup Lucky Fans Competition — a simple but powerful idea: give our passionate supporters a chance to represent South Africa at the biggest sporting event on earth, the FIFA World Cup 2026.
And South Africans responded in their thousands. From every corner of the country, fans sent us their stories, their energy, their pride, and their love for Bafana Bafana. We saw creativity, we saw passion, and most importantly, we saw the true spirit of Mzansi.
This competition was about more than just winning a trip. It was about giving a platform to the voices of our people — the fans who stand by their teams through every victory and every challenge.
Allow me to briefly explain how the winners were selected. All entries were reviewed by an independent adjudication panel. Each submission was assessed on clear criteria: the level of enthusiasm and energy, passion for Bafana Bafana and the World Cup, authentic support for their club, and the strength of their personal story — in other words, why that fan deserves to represent South Africa.
From this process, one outstanding fan was selected from each PSL club. In addition, opportunity for wildcard selections will be made public from tomorrow ensuring that no great story or undeniable passion is left behind.
Today, we are proud to announce twenty winners — twenty proud ambassadors of South African football. These winners will travel to Mexico to support Bafana Bafana in their opening match of the World Cup.
Each winner will receive a fully sponsored experience — flights, accommodation ,meals and a match ticket — but more than that, they carry something priceless: the hopes, the pride, and the spirit of South Africa.
Ladies and Gentlemen, it is now time to announce the names of the winners:
1. Bonakale Hlengiwe Nzuza (Orlando Pirates)
2. Sebe Thusi (TS Galaxy)
3. Adam Mtombeni (Kaizer Chiefs)
4. Konelo John Tahlo (Siwelele FC)
5. Ndumiso Zondi (AmaZulu FC)
6. Ernest Jacobs (Stellenbosch FC)
7. Hlekulani Kobe (Magesi FC)
8. Happiness Dumakude (Lamontville Golden Arrows)
9. Vennitious Motswi (Kaizer Chiefs)
10. Obakeng Mokgara (Mamelodi Sundowns)
11.Mamello Constance Makha (Mamelodi Sundowns)
12. Mickey Seroke Mokone (Orbit College FC)
13. Adam Schlosberg (Chippa United)
14. Thaven Pillay (Durban City FC)
15. Salmaan Khan (Richards Bay FC)
16. Tshegofatso Sello (Marumo Gallants FC)
Congratulations to all winners.
To all those who entered: we see you, we appreciate you, and we thank you. This competition belongs to you.
To our winners: you are not just fans — you are representatives of a nation. When you stand in that stadium in Mexico, you carry the flag, the voice, and the heartbeat of millions back home.
Let me also thank our adjudication panel, led by Mr Robert Marawa, for their dedication and fairness, and our partners who made this initiative possible.
This is what we mean when we say sport has the power to change lives.
South Africa, your time is now.
Bafana Bafana, the nation is behind you.
And to our lucky fans — go and show the world what it means to be proudly South African.
I thank you.
