After years of unwavering support, Mama Joy, whose real name is Joy Chauke, has bid an emotional farewell to Royal AM and its owner, Shauwn “MaMkhize” Mkhize.
The farewell comes after the South African club was officially expelled from the Premier Soccer League (PSL) on April 10.
For Mama Joy, this marks the end of a significant chapter in her soccer journey.
The Expulsion of Royal AM from PSL
On Thursday, the PSL Board of Governors took the decision to expel Royal AM from the association.
This action follows the club’s placement under curatorship, which came in the wake of MaMkhize’s alleged R40 million tax evasion case. In a vote that saw 149 votes in favor and 37 against, the club’s expulsion became official.
While the decision may have come as a blow to some, many soccer fans were not entirely surprised.
The billionaire businesswoman has faced multiple legal issues, including allegations of fraud, forgery, and bribery, all of which have tainted her leadership of the club.
Mama Joy Reflects on Her Time with Royal AM
In the aftermath of the expulsion, Mama Joy, who had been an unofficial ambassador for the club, took to social media to express her sadness.
She shared a heartfelt message, accompanied by a collage of photos showing her support for Royal AM and its journey with Thwili Thwala.
“It’s over… thanks Ma for giving me an opportunity to be Royal AM superfan.
You treated me with dignity, with love, like one of your family members. I enjoyed [it] and thank other Royal AM supporters for showing me love.
Royal AM was my family,” Mama Joy tweeted.
Her emotional post highlighted the deep connection she had with the club and its supporters.
However, she also confessed that she now faces “no home” in the PSL.
Mama Joy’s departure from Orlando Pirates in 2021, after three decades of loyal support, was one of the most talked-about moves in South African soccer.
At the time, she made it clear that her decision was rooted in her admiration for MaMkhize, whom she viewed as a passionate woman in football.
The Road That Led Mama Joy to Royal AM
In 2021, Mama Joy made headlines by switching her allegiance from Orlando Pirates to Royal AM, a move that shocked many of her long-time followers.
Despite supporting Orlando Pirates for 30 years, she decided to back Royal AM and MaMkhize, impressed by the businesswoman’s ambition for the club. “As hard as it is, I am leaving Orlando Pirates.
I want to support MaMkhize as a woman in football, and I want to support Royal AM.
I realised that she loves soccer and had her ambitions set on playing in the PSL when she acquired the status of Bloemfontein Celtic, and that kind of passion and purpose really clinched it for me,” Mama Joy told Newzroom Afrika at the time.
What’s Next for Mama Joy?
With Royal AM’s expulsion from the PSL, the question on many fans’ minds is where Mama Joy will go next.
After supporting the team for such a significant period, it’s unclear which club she might choose to back next.
Her sudden switch from Orlando Pirates to Royal AM had many wondering if she would again change allegiances.
Soccer fans are eagerly awaiting to see which team will gain the support of one of the most iconic fans in South Africa.