Bafana Bafana Legend Retells the Story of Nelson Mandela Attending His Wedding
- In 1997, after Shaun Bartlett's impressive football achievements, Nelson Mandela unexpectedly attended Bartlett's wedding in Cape Town
- Bartlett, a celebrated striker for Bafana Bafana, had a successful career both locally and internationally, playing in England, the USA, and Switzerland
- Mandela remained a passionate supporter of the national football team, engaging with the squad throughout his presidency
Bafana Bafana legend Shaun Bartlett recently shared an incredible story about how Nelson Mandela, the founding President of South Africa, attended his wedding after the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) win.
Source: UGC
The Wedding Surprise
In 1997, after Bartlett's great football achievements, he was preparing for his wedding in Cape Town.
To his surprise, Nelson Mandela, who had been a huge supporter of Bafana Bafana and South African sports, showed up at his wedding.
PAY ATTENTION: stay informed and follow us on Google News!
Mandela's granddaughter had told Bartlett that the President was disappointed not to be invited, so he made a surprise visit to the ceremony.
A Special Connection
This wasn’t the only time Bartlett connected with Mandela.
During his playing days, he often met Mandela, who admired him for his dedication to football and his role in South Africa’s national team.
Who is Shaun Bartlett?
Shaun Bartlett is one of South Africa's most famous footballers.
He played as a striker for Bafana Bafana and had a successful career both locally and internationally, playing for clubs in England, the USA, and Switzerland.
AFCON 1996: A Historic Victory
In 1996, South Africa hosted the Africa Cup of Nations. Bafana Bafana made history by winning the tournament, defeating Tunisia 2-0 in the final.
This victory was a huge moment for South African football and the country as a whole.
Source: AFP
Mandela's Enduring Support for Bafana Bafana
Nelson Mandela's unwavering support for South Africa's national football team, Bafana Bafana, was evident throughout his presidency and beyond.
In April 1997, he penned a heartfelt message to the team, encouraging them ahead of their match against Zaire, emphasizing the significance of their performance on National Freedom Day.
Later that year, in June, Mandela addressed the team again, commending their recent victories and expressing confidence in their abilities as they approached World Cup qualifiers.
Even after his presidency, Mandela continued to engage with Bafana Bafana, meeting with the squad in June 2009 to wish them well ahead of their Confederations Cup semi-final against Brazil.
Reactions from Netizens on X:
Thulani:
He will not divorce this one.
Rethabile:
Too nice 🤗🤗🤗
Nicholas:
😱🥰
McCarthy's Debut Marks a Dramatic Comeback for Kenya
Briefly News previously reported that Benni McCarthy’s debut as Kenya's head coach ended in a thrilling 3-3 draw against Gambia in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier.
Despite being two goals down, Kenya mounted a strong comeback with goals from Michael Olunga, Mohammed Bajaber, and a last-minute equalizer from William Wilson. The draw leaves Kenya in 4th place with 6 points in Group F, while Gambia is in 5th with 4 points.
McCarthy’s leadership was highlighted by the team's resilience and determination to fight back under pressure.
PAY ATTENTION: Follow Briefly News on Twitter and never miss the hottest topics! Find us at @brieflyza!
Source: Briefly News
