The Gwijo Squad is igniting cohesive energy and uniting South Africa through song, dance and the belief that we are stronger together!
Johannesburg, South Africa (14 August 2022) – There is a dancing, singing, sports-chasing movement that is uniting South Africa… while bringing us all the feels!
The Gwijo Squad calls itself “a sports fans movement with the purpose of being a catalyst for transformation in South African sport and stimulating an inclusive involvement of sports fans in the country,” but it is so much more.
The dancing, singing sports-chasing movement is bringing back the “gees” to South Africa’s stadiums.
“By demonstrating the power of igwijo, we aim to serve as a catalyst for inclusivity,” says Gwijo Squad Chairman, Chulumanco Macingwane.
“Unity and transformation of how South Africans of all creeds and colours support their national teams in a way that is uniquely — and authentically — South African! It is this camaraderie across all walks of South African lives that we believe will spill over as goodwill for collaborative development throughout other spheres in our beautiful country. The Gwijo Squad is South African and South Africans are the Gwijo Squad.”
But where did it all start?
In a stadium built for crowds, the Springboks faced the French Barbarians in a game that’s been getting our nation off their couches for decades. Rugby’s reputation precedes it and galvanises fans across the globe with unwavering support, chanting war cries that fuel the players on the field with deafening roars when any of our heroes put the ball beyond the try line.
The problem with this match at Moses Mabida was staggering: the stadium was empty.
Chulumanco Macingwane contacted a few friends with his concern that such a tangible opportunity to connect people with their country’s sports people was being lost. A week later, 35 people united in Soweto to add their voices to a game that saw the same two teams face each other — but to a way more enthusiastic soundtrack.
The Gwijo Squad was born.
With members hailing from all over the country, the Gwijo Squad is a sports fans movement with the vision and purpose of stimulating inclusive involvement for supporters around the country across rugby, cricket and netball, by igniting cohesive energy that unifies people through song.
Why? Because they believe that transformation and winning are not mutually exclusive.
The initiative is now 920 members strong — and growing! And the videos of the group keep giving us all the feels. Check them out below.
THIS. MOMENT. WAS. MAGICAL!
After the match, Siya Kolisi and some of Boks, came to support us and while there we figured that he was requesting a particular gwijo. 😉🙌🏽
So we gave him what he wanted! 🤗 #GwijoAtTheRugby
MAGICAL! pic.twitter.com/vDYsKSOw33
— Gwijo Squad (@GwijoSquad) July 21, 2019
Special moment for @josephdweba2 as Gwijo Squad & @SiyaKolisi give him a warm welcome. 💚#GwijoAtTheRugby #GwijoSquadSingSong pic.twitter.com/PfqeQTs1A7
— Gwijo Squad (@GwijoSquad) August 11, 2022
Energy!
Your captain, ladies & gentleman… @SiyaKolisi! 💚#GwijoAtTheRugby #GwijoSquadSingSong pic.twitter.com/oOzb344FN4
— Gwijo Squad (@GwijoSquad) August 11, 2022
Special moment!
We are ran into Man of the Match @M_marxi2 & Spicy Plum, @StevenKitshoff… And we sang for them.#GwijoAtTheRugby #RSAvNZL
Want to be a member?
▶️ https://t.co/zq0gzX2eBd pic.twitter.com/r2Pd9OVg3k— Gwijo Squad (@GwijoSquad) August 7, 2022
No one gets left behind.
Unity! 🔊
🏉 #GwijoAtTheRugby #RSAvNZL
Want to be a member? https://t.co/zq0gzX2eBd pic.twitter.com/ekRyM2aqAM— Gwijo Squad (@GwijoSquad) August 13, 2022
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