Kaizer Chiefs are everywhere — sparking a national dialogue in SA
Image: Backpagepix
Kaizer Chiefs — they're everywhere
And by everywhere, I mean especially after they won their first two matches of the Betway Premiership. Even more so if you are caught wearing an Orlando Pirates shirt after those victories, with my side of the aisle looking rather grim following the opposite results — two losses in as many matches.
Walk around town in the iconic black, the skull and crossbones embroidered on your breast, and you are more than likely to get the customary greeting — arms crossed at the wrist — or a sardonic smile from those who follow the Glamour Boys, challenging you with an 'Amakhosi for life.'
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Find yourself in a pub, and you might just be forced to shoot a grim shot of tequila, crowned by a slice of orange, to the health and victory of Chiefs — as was the case this past Wednesday at a launch event wholly unrelated to Premier Soccer League matters.
That's the type of national dialogue I enjoy … the one that reminds me that, when it comes to South Africans, we are all very much the same despite creed and politics; and in spite of what the toxic cesspools of social media will spout, or our political leaders might blast over a loudhailer.
And it doesn't take an eye-watering amount of money to inspire it.
Truth be told, domestic football needs Chiefs to be successful. They remain the biggest brand — the marquee sporting name in this country — regardless of the success of Mamelodi Sundowns or Orlando Pirates, the Springboks lifting two consecutive Rugby World Cups, or the Proteas finally getting their hands on a major ICC trophy … cup … mace … thing.
Despite the PSL's shoddy administration — poor officiating, suspect scheduling, last season's Royal AM saga, and clubs being sold like cookies at a church bazaar — football in this country continues to thrive. That resilience is mirrored across other major sporting codes, which survive despite questionable boardroom decisions and a lack of adequate state support.
All goals scored within regulation time contribute towards our Goals For Charity initiative. After our Quarter Final round, we're sitting at a whopping 15 goals!
The #MTN8 Defending Champions, Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns both contributed 6 of those goals! 🔥
How… pic.twitter.com/QEUrxzoV3e — MTN8 Wafa Wafa! (@MTN8) August 14, 2025
If our football can flourish under such conditions, it's no surprise that South Africans as a people continue to persevere through far greater challenges — a resilience that defines us beyond the pitch. Our sovereignty might be undermined by nations with ridiculous foreign policy agendas, while graft cripples infrastructure and service delivery, yet no nation can pull itself up from the bootstraps like we do.
If recent sporting events have proven anything, it's this: we South Africans are a bunch of champions, consistently let down only by the fumbling ineptitude of our leaders across the political spectrum — right to left.
On Saturday, that camaraderie will once again be on display.
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