Superfan Botha Msila scores ANOTHER free World Cup trip
Three years after his R700k funded trip to France, superfan Botha Msila will attend the FIFA World Cup, thanks to Minister Gayton McKenzie.
Black News 
Not for the first time, superfan Botha Msila will have his travel and tickets to a major sporting event sponsored by the Department of Sport. The announcement was made by Minister Gayton McKenzie, who revealed the group of supporters who would fly to the FIFA World Cup next month.
The tournament takes place between 11 June and 19 July at Meixo, Canada and the US.
BOTHA MSILA SCORES TICKET TO FIFA WORLD CUP
Last week, Gayton McKenzie announced the winners of the Lucky Fan competition, which will send a delegation of sporting fans to the FIFA World Cup next month.
The fans will watch the tournament’s opening match on 11 June, between South Africa’s Bafana Bafana and Mexico.
On Friday, the Minister of Sport added the names of “wild card” sport supporters and content creators.
They are:
- Just Paprika
- Diski TV
- Botha Msila
- Sahil Ebrahim
Additionally, former Orlando Pirates Michael Morton would also score a ticket for his contribution to soccer development in the country.
‘NO LONGER PAYING FOR THESE TRIPS’
Botha Msila – a familiar face at many PSL matches and sporting tournaments abroad – made headlines over a R700 000-sponsored trip to watch the Springboks at the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.
Msila is a staunch supporter of the now-defunct Bloemfontein Celtic, which later became Royal AM, a club owned by businesswoman Shauwn Mkhize, which was expelled from the PSL last year.
Siwelele FC – previously Supersport United – was bought by Gayton McKenzie’s son, Calvin Le John, that now operates in the city.
Gayton previously claimed he had halted superfan trips, such as those of Mama Joy and Botha Msila.
The then newly-elected Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture said in 2024: “How do we justify paying for fans? We shall no longer be paying for these trips and will use that money where it is needed the most.”
FIFA WORLD CUP IS ‘NOT A HOLIDAY’
Speaking in a media conference earlier this month, Gayton McKenzie revealed the purpose of the South African delegation to the FIFA World Cup’s opening match w
The group would include South African music artists and chefs and would live and interact in an “activation” space in the country.
He added, “To those South African journalists, podcasters, and influencers who will go with us: you are not going to Mexico to cover a holiday.
“You are going to render a service to your country. You are going to tell South Africans, in their own voices and on their own platforms. What their players are doing on the world stage. That role is not always adequately recognised in this country, and it should be”.
