Johannesburg - Mama Joy Chauke is best known for her colourful regalia and infectious persona, but South Africa’s favourite cheerleader needs a new outfit to take to the Rio Olympics.
Many will recognise Mama Joy as the Pirates mascot - with an outfit that embraces many cultural styles.
Now, the 43-year-old is taking her supporter's skills to the international stage. The Department of Sport has invited the larger-than-life character to travel with the South African team early next month.
She's now searching for a fresh, colourful supporter’s kit.
Cheerleading is a hobby for Chauke, and it earned her the Spar G-Sport supporter of the year award last year.
She grew up in Limpopo, and when she moved to Joburg in 1998, she worked at the Hillbrow Clinic as a security officer.
Today, she is employed at a grocery store in Soweto, and in her spare time she is wrapped up in South Africa’s sporting world. If she isn’t at the events, she is watching them on TV.
Starting out as a Pirates fan, Chauke used to dress up in the team’s colours and helped to excite the fans to cheer the team on.
One thing led to another, and she has become the darling of South African sport, with a Twitter following of 4 500 and outfits to match the various sporting disciplines.
“One day I just thought: 'From Pirates, there is Bafana Bafana, and then there is cricket and rugby, and I can support them all'.
“When (Gauteng Sport MEC) Faith Mazibuko told me that I was going to Rio for the Olympics, I was so happy,” she said.
Chauke has a dress made of the South African flag colours, but it is worn out, and she would love to take a new outfit on the Olympic tour with her.
If anyone would like to design and make a new ceremonial dress, please tweet her on @mamajoychauke or contact the writer.
The Star