South Africans could receive an additional public holiday this year — but only if Bafana Bafana achieve what many would consider the country’s greatest football triumph.
President Cyril Ramaphosa joked this week that he would declare a public holiday should South Africa’s national football team lift the FIFA World Cup trophy in July.
The remarks were made during an official send-off event for the squad ahead of their departure for the tournament.
Bafana Bafana received a warm farewell from the South African Football Association (SAFA), sponsors, and government representatives as excitement builds around the team’s World Cup campaign.
The national squad is set to begin its tournament journey on 11 June against host nation Mexico before playing a friendly against Nicaragua.
Ramaphosa Backs National Team’s World Cup Dream
The official 26-man squad was announced on Wednesday by head coach Hugo Broos during a send-off dinner held at the Union Buildings in Pretoria.
Ramaphosa attended the event and used both his keynote speech and social media platforms to rally support behind the team.
Posting on X, the president wished the players success and jokingly promised an additional public holiday if they returned home as world champions.
“We wish you the very best as you head off to the tournament. I will be there when you lift the trophy on the 19th of July. And yes, I will declare it a public holiday,” he wrote.
The president also offered an inspirational message to the players ahead of the tournament.
“May you have wind in your sails, steel in your veins and thunder in your boots,” he added.
The comments quickly drew attention online, with football supporters reacting enthusiastically to the idea of a bonus national holiday tied to a historic World Cup victory.
Pressure And Excitement Build Ahead Of Tournament
While Ramaphosa’s remarks were delivered humorously, they also reflected growing national excitement around South Africa’s participation in the competition.
In his address to the team, the president made it clear that the country hoped for a deep tournament run rather than another early exit.
“We do not want group stages or early exits,” Ramaphosa told the players. “We don’t want the words ‘eliminated’ or ‘bowing out’. We want to see you compete with courage, determination and belief until the very end.”
South Africa’s football supporters have long hoped to see Bafana Bafana regain international prominence following years of inconsistent performances on the global stage.
A successful campaign at this year’s tournament would likely spark nationwide celebrations and renewed optimism for local football development.
The FIFA World Cup final is scheduled for Sunday, 19 July. Should South Africa complete an unlikely title-winning run, many South Africans would almost certainly push for Monday to be declared a day off.
Ramaphosa himself acknowledged that he may face increasing pressure from the public for more holidays as the team progresses deeper into the tournament.
For now, however, the country’s attention turns to the opening match and whether Bafana Bafana can turn presidential optimism into football history.
Source: SAFA, Presidency of South Africa