On a courtesy visit to the Premier Soccer League offices in Parktown, President Cyril Ramaphosa praised the body led by Irvin Khoza and paid tribute to the Soweto Derby between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates.
On Monday 2 November, President Cyril Ramaphosa went to the Premier Soccer League offices in Parktown for a courtesy visit. According to Africasoccer, he met the league’s chairman, Dr Irvin Khoza, and chief executive Mato Madlala there.
In front of his hosts, the head of state was lavish in his praise for the body that runs the South African championship. “My visit here was a courtesy visit, simply to pay homage to the PSL for what it has achieved. It is the best-organised league on the continent and it runs the most popular sporting code, football,” he said, in remarks reported by Africasoccer. Translated here from English by our editorial team.
A tribute to the PSL’s organisation
The compliment was not only about the pitch. Ramaphosa picked up a phrase he had heard on site: “He was showing me the measure; he says their business is the happiness index, that they take care of people’s happiness, and that is so true.”
The president closed his remarks with a congratulation: “So it is a great success for us South Africans, and that is why I wanted to come and say well done and keep up the good work,” he added, again according to Africasoccer.
The Soweto Derby in the spotlight
The visit was also an opportunity to pay tribute to the Soweto Derby, the duel between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates. Ramaphosa learned that the derby had been registered as a trademark, Africasoccer reports. He called it the best derby on the continent and in the world.
According to the figures presented during the visit, 77% of South Africans who follow sport are football fans, ahead of rugby, according to Africasoccer.
The season goes on
On the pitch, Orlando Pirates beat Kaizer Chiefs 2-1 at FNB Stadium the day before the visit, according to Times of Eswatini. That result is reported only by that outlet, and it has not been corroborated in the file.
Beyond the formal tribute, the Betway Premiership continues. The next Soweto Derby is still to come.