Parliament, Monday, 1 June 2026 – The Chairperson of the Select Committee on Education, Sciences and the Creative Industries, Mr Makhi Feni, has expressed shock at events surrounding Bafana Bafana’s departure for the football World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada, which is due to start on 11 June.
Mr Feni said the visa hiccups are unacceptable sabotage of the South African football team’s preparation and readiness to participate in the tournament.
“Today should be about wishing our boys well, but sadly we are discussing visa challenges. Someone must be held accountable. It is not enough to hold individual officials to account; SAFA itself has failed. They have failed Bafana Bafana even before our campaign launches. The committee will wait for a formal briefing not the tit for tat approach on social media.”
This week, South Africa hosted a glittering squad announcement function that was attended by the President, Mr Cyril Ramaphosa. Mr Feni called on the government to ensure that all corrective steps are completed speedily. “The committee will not tolerate a situation where incompetence is tolerated in our national federations across sporting codes. We will await further details on this matter, and it better be resolved.”
South Africa is set to play the opening game against Mexico in Mexico City on 11 June. We wish our team well; the entire nation is behind our boys. Halala Bafana Bafana.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATIONS SERVICE ON BEHALF OF THE SELECT COMMITTEE ON EDUCATIONS, SCIENCES AND THE CREATIVE INDUSTRIES, MR MAKHI FENI.
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