Johannesburg, South Africa - Sasol, proud sponsor of Banyana Banyana, today unveiled their campaign for the team as they prepare to take on the best of the world in New Zealand and Australia. This campaign, encapsulated in the bold statement “South Africa, your support is our energy”, is a clarion call for all South Africans to stand fully behind the team as they will be undertaking this mammoth task of representing the country on this global stage. 

Speaking at the launch event, Charlotte Mokoena – Sasol’s Executive Vice President for Human Resources and Stakeholder Relations, said Sasol is reaffirming its commitment to the national team through this campaign, having been a part of the squad for 15 years. 

“Nelson Mandela once said: “Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people”. Now we are headed to the biggest stage in women’s football, where the challenge is bigger, the opponents are harder, and every game is difficult. However, I can attest that these ladies are fearless and will represent South Africa to the best of their ability, BUT they need us, South Africa. This is our chance to show the world what our athletes are capable of, but more importantly, what they can do with the support of a nation”.

Mokoena explained that as humans, we all need the energy to perform our daily duties – in our different vocations, for learners and students to study – we cannot do anything without energy. This campaign is a call to all 60 million South Africans to show their support and rally behind the team. She implores people to send messages of support that will give the team energy to perform optimally throughout the tournament period. “This energy will enable the team to train harder, have more power on the field, and take on their opponents head-on! – knowing that South Africa is behind them all the way!”

All Banyana Banyana fans and the public at large can send their messages of support on the Sasol and Banyana Bayana social media pages. Sasol will collate all the messages received and ensure they are shared with the entire team while they are in camp preparing for the tournament and when they will be in Australia and New Zealand for the competition. “I encourage everyone to get onto these platforms to share those messages of support and encouragement with the team and let each one of us be player number 12 on the field on match days”.

The President of SAFA, Dr Danny Jordaan applauded Sasol on this great initiative and campaign. “We are excited about this initiative by our valued sponsors, Sasol, which takes the campaign to football fans, especially Banyana Banyana fans. As Banyana Banyana are about to embark on the FIFA Women’s World Cup journey, they will be buoyed to know the entire country is behind them. They are our beacon of hope, the Pride of the Nation and we are confident they will surprise many countries in this upcoming World Cup.”

Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis echoed the President’s sentiments saying “the fans have always been a big part of who we are, and we've seen it in the past, especially in the COSAFA Cup, where we had them as a 12th and the 13th player. This campaign is a very good initiative by Sasol. We know that they've been behind us all the way and they’ve gone the extra mile to make sure that we have that support, whether the fans come to the stadium or whether the fans are supporting us from afar like they did with the Women's Africa Cup of Nations. We really appreciate the effort that Sasol has put in and I'm sure the players are also very excited about the campaign, and how Sasol is pushing beyond the impossible to make sure that the players feel the vibe and the support from South Africa."

Fans and supporters who participate in this campaign stand a chance to win great prizes, including a trip to watch Banyana Banyana in Australia and New Zealand.

Sasol customers need to fill up with R500 or more and swipe their Sasol Rewards Card at any of the Sasol participating retail outlets to stand the chance to win. The prize includes:

• Flights and Accommodation
• Match day tickets for the first two South Africa group matches
• VIP Experiences in New Zealand

The competition will open on Wednesday, 3 May and close on Tuesday, 30 May 2023. Terms and Conditions apply. Click here for more information.

This campaign will be supported by an integrated marketing campaign, which includes on-the-ground activations as well as broadcast media support.

“We are excited about the journey ahead, our partnership with the South African Football Association has seen the extensive growth and successes of women’s football in South Africa and we are proud that we have been a part of this journey. We are also pleased that Banyana Banyana will be participating in the world cup for the second time as they continue to live up to the mantra of Live The Impossible, which has been the driving force behind the team’s performance”, Mokoena concludes.

Join the conversation by #LiveTheImpossible.