A campaign that is intended to rally support for Banyana Banyana ahead of the Fifa Women’s World Cup was launched by the team’s long-time sponsors SASOL in Johannesburg on Wednesday (3 May 2023).
The global tournament will be held in Australia and New Zealand from 20 July – 20 August 2023 and South Africans have been asked to rally behind the team with the slogan “South Africa, your support is our energy”.
Fans can send their messages of support on the Sasol and the Banyana Bayana social media pages. Sasol will collate all the messages received and ensure they are shared with the entire team while they are in camp preparing for the World Cup, and when they are in Australia and New Zealand participating in the global tournament.
Sasol’s Executive Vice President for Human Resources and Stakeholder Relations, Charlotte Mokoena, said the company is reaffirming its commitment to the South African senior women’s national team through this campaign.
“Nelson Mandela once said: “Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people”. Now we are headed to the biggest stage in women’s football, where the challenge is bigger, the opponents are harder, and every game is difficult,” she said.
“However, I can attest that these ladies are fearless and will represent South Africa to the best of their ability, BUT they need us, South Africa. This is our chance to show the world what our athletes are capable of, but more importantly, what they can do with the support of a nation”.
Banyana Banyana are in a camp for local-based players in Johannesburg this week, but they took some time off to attend the launch with coach Desiree Ellis and members of her technical team. The camp is part of Ellis’ preparations for the 2023 Fifa Women’s World Cup.
SAFA President Dr Danny Jordaan, who attended the launch with some members of the National Executive Committee, COO Lydia Monyepao and staff from the Association, applauded Sasol on this great initiative and campaign. “We are excited about this initiative by our valued sponsors, Sasol, which takes the campaign to football fans, especially Banyana Banyana fans. As Banyana Banyana are about to embark on the Fifa Women’s World Cup journey, they will be buoyed to know the entire country is behind them. They are our beacon of hope, the Pride of the Nation and we are confident they will surprise many countries in this upcoming World Cup.”
Ellis said the fans have always been a big part of who Banyana Banyana are and the team have seen it on numerous occasions in the past.
“This campaign is a very good initiative by Sasol,” she said. “We know that they’ve been behind us all the way and they’ve gone the extra mile to make sure that we have that support, whether the fans come to the stadium or whether the fans are supporting us from afar like they did with the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. We really appreciate the effort that Sasol has put in and I’m sure the players are also very excited about the campaign, and how Sasol is pushing beyond the impossible to make sure that the players feel the vibe and the support from South Africa.”
Fans who participate in the campaign stand a chance to win great prizes, including a trip to watch Banyana Banyana in Australia and New Zealand.