The geography of South African football David Redfern

The geography of South African football Sport in South Africa Sport in South Africa has been split down racial lines for many years. Rugby (Union) and cricket have been the preserve of the white population, although there are recent signs of this changing. Football (soccer) is a sport for black, Indian and coloured people in South Africa. In recent years popular teams such as Orlando Pirates and Moroka Swallows have been formed and attendances at black soccer matches in Johannesburg, Durban, and Cape Town have grown. This has mainly been caused by the dramatic increase in the number of black Africans migrating to cities to find work in mining, port and manufacturing industries. Note: the use of ‘white’, ‘black’ and ‘coloured’ is standard in South Africa, and is not pejorative.

The geography of South African football The apartheid years South Africa was isolated from world football from 1961 to 1992 due to world condemnation of apartheid. Inside the country television coverage sparked a commercial boom. Sponsorships increased substantially and top players began to earn a living wage. Following the collapse of the apartheid system, FIFA welcomed South Africa back into world soccer in July 1992.

The geography of South African football After apartheid An integrated national team, nicknamed Bafana Bafana (Zulu for ‘The Boys'), defeated Cameroon 1-0 on 7 July 1992 in itsfirst international match. On 3 February 1996, South Africa won the African Nations' Cup by defeating Tunisia (2-0) before a home crowd of 90,000. In 1998 Bafana Bafana participated in the World Cup finals for the first time. By 2003–04 there were 1.8 million registered players and corporate sponsorships reached more than R640 million. Football in the ‘new' South Africa had become a powerful economic, cultural, and political force.

The geography of South African football New teams South Africa now has its own ‘glamour’ clubs: Kaizer Chiefs, based in Soweto (Jo’burg) is said to be South Africa's favourite soccer club. Orlando Pirates, also based in Jo’burg has a support base extending across the country's borders. The fierce traditional rivalry between Pirates and Chiefs makes for one of the biggest derby matches in the world. Mamelodi Sundowns, based in Pretoria isbacked by billionaire mining magnate Patrice Motsepe, and is often compared to Chelsea in the UK. South Africa's senior women's team, Banyana Banyana – ‘The Girls’ – has traditionally been the strongest women’s team in southern Africa and one of the best in Africa.

The geography of South African football Location of Premier Soccer League (PSL) teams See the map on the next slide Ajax - Cape Town AmaZulu - Durban Bidvest Wits - Johannesburg University Bloemfontein Celtic - Bloemfontein Free State Stars - Bethlehem Golden Arrows - Durban Kaizer Chiefs - Johannesburg (Soweto) Mamelodi Sundowns - Pretoria Maritzburg United - Pietermaritzburg Moroka Swallows - Johannesburg (Soweto) Mpumalanga Black Aces - Middelburg Orlando Pirates - Johannesburg (Parktown) Platinum Stars - Rustenburg Polokwane City - Polokwane SuperSport United - Pretoria Tuks FC - Pretoria

The geography of South African football Location of PSL teams

The geography of South African football Sponsorship In June 2007, the PSL signed a R1.6 billion broadcast deal with SuperSport International, a media company. In August 2007, South African Breweries (SAB) and Absa Bank announced a joint sponsorship of more than R500 million for South African football. SAB also sponsors Bafana Bafana, while Absa supports the PSL's Premier Division. In August 2008, the cellphone giant MTN committed R400 million to the game at local levels, while taking over the title sponsorship of the Top 8 knockout tournament — the South African equivalent of the FA Cup. These deals combined have made South Africa's Premier Soccer League the seventh biggest earner of sponsorship revenue among football leagues worldwide.

The geography of South African football Support for an opposing team in Langa township, Cape Town? David Redfern

The geography of South African football Support for an opposing team in Langa township, Cape Town? David Redfern

The geography of South African football The new Cape Town stadium: the home of Cape Town Ajax David Redfern, taken from Table Mountain

The geography of South African football Evidence of a major sponsor in a fruit and vegetable shop – Langa township, Cape Town David Redfern

The geography of South African football South African footballers abroad Some well-known South African footballers include: Lucas Radebe – Leeds United Shaun Bartlett and Mark Fish – Charlton Athletic Benni McCarthy – Blackburn Rovers and West Ham United Steven Pienaar – Borussia Dortmund, Tottenham Hotspur and Everton

The geography of South African football Useful weblinks The official site of the South African Football Association. An interactive website of all things football, South African and elsewhere. Provides an interesting insight into African perspectives on the sport.