Cape Town — EFF Member Mzwanele Manyi saw an opportunity to criticise President Cyril Ramaphosa for his attire during the Springboks World Cup victory celebrations.
Saturday evening’s incredible triumph over rivals New Zealand to secure their fourth World Cup title brought joy and celebration throughout the country, and Ramaphosa was in Paris to join in the celebration and the lifting of the trophy.
However, Manyi took to X to criticise Ramaphosa for choosing to wear an MTN branded Springbok jersey, as opposed to the one for the World Cup.
“How does Ramaphosa explain wearing the MTN branded jersey at the disadvantage of other sponsors and blatant flouting of tournament rules. Is this another example of bad error of judgment or failure to comprehend perceived conflict with his erstwhile private interests in MTN?” Manyi said.
How does Ramaphosa explain wearing the MTN branded jersey at the disadvantage of other sponsors and blatant flouting of tournament rules.
Is this another example of bad error of judgment or failure to comprehend perceived conflict with his erstwhile private interests in MTN. pic.twitter.com/5Wrt7pdthM
— Mzwanele Manyi (@MzwaneleManyi) October 29, 2023
In another post, Manyi explained that Ramaphosa was handed the official World Cup jersey by Siya Kolisi, yet he chose to wear the MTN-branded top. Manyi labelled his actions as ‘unethical’ and that Ramaphosa should apologise to Nike and SA Rugby.
“He was handed the right official T-shirt by Captain Siya Kolisi. But no, he put on the MTN branded jersey, his ‘erstwhile’ company to dwarf the official sponsor. This is wholly unethical. I am embarrassed as a South African. Ramaphosa should apologise to @Nike and @sarugby,” he continued.
He was handed the right official T-shirt by Captain Siya Kolisi.
But no, he put on the MTN branded jersey, his ‘erstwhile’ company to dwarf the OFFICIAL SPONSOR.
This is wholly unethical.
I am embarrassed as a South African.
Ramaphosa should apologise to @Nike and @sarugby pic.twitter.com/WkXCk73czW— Mzwanele Manyi (@MzwaneleManyi) October 30, 2023
According to The Citizen, MTN is the headline sponsor of the Springboks, after extending its contract with the SA Rugby Union in 2021 by five years.
“When we named MTN as our new headline sponsor four years ago, we realised that it represented a pivotal moment for SA Rugby and that welcoming a company of MTN’s size and reach was a significant moment for the sport,” said former SA Rugby CEO Jurie Roux in 2021.
Many people were quick to dismiss Manyi’s complaints, saying that Ramaphosa didn’t break any rules wearing the jersey as MTN remains the Springbok jersey sponsor.
Manyi seemingly misunderstood that the sponsor was merely dropped for the sake of the World Cup, not as a Springbok sponsor.
Hay yay yay… pic.twitter.com/928GTeOm3E
— 🇿🇦 Khakhathi_Ahuna (@_HerchelleR) October 29, 2023
Nike supplies the kits, MTN acts is the sponsor, and ASICS used to be the kit provider. On the 3rd of June 2021, the sponsorship by MTN was extended for 5 years. There’s nothing wrong with Ramaphosa wearing a jersey that has MTN because they are sponsors of the Springboks. pic.twitter.com/wpERJnDfu7
— ツ O R I (@Ori_RSA) October 30, 2023
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
