Change Bafana’s name to “Amadoda” – Maimane tells Malema/Ndlozi

Former DA leader Mmusi Maimane has hit back at Julius Malema’s Springbok comments he made recently.

Following the Springboks trophy parade around the country, Malema said the Economic Freedom Fighters don’t support the Springboks as it remains a symbol of apartheid.

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Maimane, who started his own party Build One South Africa (BOSA), lashed out at the EFF leader, saying the focus should be on Bafana Bafana’s lack of winning.

Mmusi Maimane wants Bafana’s name changed

“I am guessing he wants the national rugby team to wear red and have a logo of a clenched fist holding a spear.

Our political and policy focus needs to be directed to teams like Bafana Bafana who are not performing at the same level as Rugby and Cricket,” said Maimane on X, formerly Twitter.

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“We need to hold SAFA and the Department of Sports, Arts, and Culture accountable for failing to develop robust soccer programs for primary and high schools. For failing to support amateur soccer in townships and rural areas. We need to call for a change of leadership in SAFA,” Maimane said.

EFF’s MP Dr Mbuyiseni Ndlozi was quick to jump in on X, saying springbok is a symbol of white supremacy.

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“And so I refuse to believe that our people “love” “springbok” as a symbol of white apartheid supremacy. I refuse to believe that they, like you, suffer from the psychotic episodes of self-hate and inferiority complex,” Ndlozi tweeted.

Maimane then said that Ndlozi and Malema were fighting the wrong battle, and instead of wasting energy on changing the Boks logo and name, they should change Bafana’s name to ‘Amadoda’.

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“In our sports community, one of our weakest performing teams is Bafana Bafana. Why not spend policy focus on holding SAFA accountable? You guys love marching why not march for more funding and better management of soccer in public high schools and townships? Why not even call for a name change from Bafana Bafana to Amadoda.,” said Maimane.

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