South Africa is preparing for a pivotal clash against South Korea on Thursday, with award-winning singer and performer Chomee emerging as one of the leading voices behind the country’s growing football fever.
Born Thulisile Madihlaba, Chomee is the artist behind the popular football anthem Tjovitjo (Bafana Is Back), a track that has become synonymous with South African football celebrations. The song has enjoyed renewed popularity during the current tournament, featuring prominently at fan gatherings, watch parties, and across social media platforms as supporters rally behind the national team.
As excitement builds ahead of the high-stakes encounter, Chomee has partnered with Debonairs Pizza for a nationwide campaign focused on unity, shared experiences, and the vibrant atmosphere that football creates. The collaboration aims to capture the passion of South African supporters while highlighting the role that music, food, and sport play in bringing communities together.
The campaign features Chomee’s vocals in a new television commercial and includes a series of fan-focused activations designed to enhance the match-day experience. Earlier this month, she made a surprise appearance at a fan park event at Mall of Africa, where football supporters gathered to watch the tournament action. Additional appearances are expected throughout the competition, including a scheduled performance at a major watch-party event in Melrose Arch during the quarter-final stage on 9 July.
Speaking about the partnership, Chomee said football has a unique ability to unite people from different backgrounds, cultures, and communities. She noted that the current tournament has created an atmosphere of collective excitement, allowing South Africans to come together in support of a common goal.
At the heart of the campaign is Debonairs Pizza’s newly launched Cram Crown Crust™ Pizza, a product designed specifically for group viewing occasions and football watch parties. The pizza features a distinctive crust filled with cocktail cheese grillers arranged in a circular formation inspired by the pre-match huddles commonly seen in football. The concept was developed to encourage sharing and reflect the spirit of teamwork that defines the sport.
According to Debonairs Pizza, the new offering was created with social occasions in mind, recognising that major sporting events often bring friends and families together around a television screen. The brand has positioned the product as a centrepiece for football gatherings, reinforcing themes of connection, celebration, and collective support.
Debonairs Pizza marketing executive Jacques Cronje said the collaboration with Chomee was intended to celebrate South Africa’s deep-rooted football culture while creating memorable experiences for supporters throughout the tournament. He added that music and food remain powerful ways of bringing people together, particularly during moments of national significance.
The campaign reflects a broader trend of brands increasingly engaging with football culture through entertainment, live events, and community-focused initiatives. By combining one of South Africa’s most recognisable dance artists with the excitement surrounding the national team, the partnership seeks to tap into the emotional connection that fans have with both football and shared cultural experiences.
As South Africa prepares to take the field against South Korea, supporters across the country will be hoping that the energy generated by songs such as Tjovitjo (Bafana Is Back) and the growing wave of fan engagement can help inspire the team to another memorable performance.
