A fan site integrated with social networking tools has been created for Bafana Bafana fans.
After the roll-out of an official fan club for Bafana supporters in Johannesburg, a site was created to provide a platform where these supporters could interact, according to executive director of South African Football Supporters Association (Safsa) Siyabulela Makunga.
“People have always supported Bafana but there has never been an official platform for them. The fan club and the Web site provide this. Soccer has evolved. It is no longer just about getting bums on seats. Now we need input from fans in all areas, on things that can be improved, for example, issues of security. We want to mobilise these fans and the nation behind Bafana Bafana.”
He explains that the Web site will feature competitions for supporters and they can post comments on the site, as well as directly communicate with players. He adds that the site creates a much-needed space to connect with international fans as well.
“Since 1992, when Safsa was established, we have been knocking on many doors seeking a moment like this, to launch a structure that will create a platform for millions of football supporters and fans to have a home with which football loyalists can be associated,” says Safsa chairman Colin Nxumalo. “The launch of the Bafana Fan Club is, in our view, a vehicle through which Safsa can grow from strength to strength.”
Dr Nikolaus Eberl, founder of the 12th Player Project, which was involved in this initiative, says that during the World Cup, the Bafana Fan Club gives SA the ability to mobilise a call to action. Post-2010, it will provide a platform when Bafana competes in Brazil.
Getting social
“The core of the site will be the standard social networking features: profiles, blogs, posting of photos and videos, discussion forms (we believe this module will be very popular because there will be discussions about players, coaching, referees, etc), chat rooms and instant messaging,” says Eberl.
There will be quizzes and surveys, and prizes with the overall objective of fan-to-team interaction.
Makunga says Facebook is already operational for the fan club.
The current Web site is just a start-up site for general information, while Safsa is getting the other sites together and adding in the social networking tools.
More to come
“The only two media outlets we have now is the Web site and the SMS campaign where fans can SMS to register as a member of the fan club,” says Makunga. “But we are discussing with partners for a mobile site and once that is done, we will be able to launch it.”
“We are sorting out the specs at the moment and while it would have been fantastic to have it ready for the opening game, it will most likely launch during the World Cup,” says Eberl.
Makunga says another site will be set up soon by the fan club and this will be specifically for a fan World Cup that will be hosted by the South African Footballers' Association (Safa). “We will be helping to enjoin football fans from around the world on 30 June with the Safa Fan World Cup.”
He says the format will be the same as the official Fifa World Cup, where fans will get to play five-aside soccer. Safa has an agreement with Midrand High School to host the event and all 32 Fifa World Cup participating countries will be involved at the event.
“A Web site will be launched for this event soon. It is not up as yet but there will definitely be one dedicated to the Fan World Cup,” says Makunga.
Joining up
Supporters can register with the fan club by SMSing 'Bafana' to 35865 where proceeds from the cost of the SMS will go to football development, specifically for women's and youth football, according to Safsa.
Makunga adds that for those who want to avoid the SMS charge, there is the option of registering online on the Web site as well.
Safa says the project's number one goal is to sign up free membership for the first one million fans by 2014.
“Just recently, we received an award for best supporters in the whole of Africa, bestowed on us by the Confederation of African Football, and through the Bafana Fan Club, we are hoping to go all the way and be the best in the whole world,” says iNkosi Mwelo Nonkonyana, member of Safa's national executive committee.
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