Publications
Partners
Cape Town - Coca-Cola is giving six South African football playing grannies the opportunity to experience the Soccer World Cup atmosphere for themselves. These inspiring women will be jetting off on a once in a lifetime trip to the World Cup in Brazil on Saturday, June 14.
VIDEO: Click to watch the 'Gogos' in action!
Coca-Cola first heard about this phenomenal group of grannies - or “Gogos” as they are affectionately known – last year. Originating from Limpopo, they all have a love for life, a love for each other and a love for the beautiful game of football. Beka Ntsanwisi, the team founder, set up a team in her community solely for grandmothers who wanted to keep active and the resulting football squad saw players’ ages ranging from 50 to 84!
The team, called “Vakhegula Vakhegula” which translates from their native tongue Tsonga, to mean “Granny’s Grannies”, is changing the typical stereotype of grandmothers, improving the health of those in the team and bringing the local community together in support of their Gogos.
“The most important thing is that when we step out onto the football pitch together, we forget about everything. We forget about our poverty, we forget about our old age. We forget about our challenges. You can enjoy soccer no matter what age you are and no matter where you come from. Soccer unites us,” says football loving Beka.
Coca-Cola was so inspired by Beka and her team, that they decided to surprise them by having the World Cup trophy make a special red carpet visit to their training ground during its World Trophy Tour late last year. The Gogos were so overcome with joy at having the trophy visit them that Coca-Cola then surprised them with the chance to leave South Africa for the first time in some of their lives and go to experience the World Cup 2014 live in Brazil.
The six Gogos who will be travelling to Brazil, will not only be able to watch two World Cup group matches at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, they will also get to visit Sugar Loaf Mountain, World Cup fan parks and taste the culture and cuisine of Brazil. The trip will then be documented and shared, allowing everyone to experience the happiness of their World’s Cup.
The grannies have shown there are no age limits in football and no social barriers. That football brings people together all over the world and can change lives. The Gogos embody the message that is at the heart of the World Cup - this is your cup, my cup, THE WORLD’S CUP.
“Everyone joins together to celebrate the World Cup. It belongs to everyone, wherever you are, whoever you support and no matter your age. It truly is The World’s Cup and its best celebrated with everyone’s drink, Coca-Cola” says Sharon Keith, Marketing Director of Coca-Cola South Africa.
VIDEO: Click to watch the 'Gogos' in action!
Coca-Cola first heard about this phenomenal group of grannies - or “Gogos” as they are affectionately known – last year. Originating from Limpopo, they all have a love for life, a love for each other and a love for the beautiful game of football. Beka Ntsanwisi, the team founder, set up a team in her community solely for grandmothers who wanted to keep active and the resulting football squad saw players’ ages ranging from 50 to 84!
The team, called “Vakhegula Vakhegula” which translates from their native tongue Tsonga, to mean “Granny’s Grannies”, is changing the typical stereotype of grandmothers, improving the health of those in the team and bringing the local community together in support of their Gogos.
“The most important thing is that when we step out onto the football pitch together, we forget about everything. We forget about our poverty, we forget about our old age. We forget about our challenges. You can enjoy soccer no matter what age you are and no matter where you come from. Soccer unites us,” says football loving Beka.
Coca-Cola was so inspired by Beka and her team, that they decided to surprise them by having the World Cup trophy make a special red carpet visit to their training ground during its World Trophy Tour late last year. The Gogos were so overcome with joy at having the trophy visit them that Coca-Cola then surprised them with the chance to leave South Africa for the first time in some of their lives and go to experience the World Cup 2014 live in Brazil.
The six Gogos who will be travelling to Brazil, will not only be able to watch two World Cup group matches at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, they will also get to visit Sugar Loaf Mountain, World Cup fan parks and taste the culture and cuisine of Brazil. The trip will then be documented and shared, allowing everyone to experience the happiness of their World’s Cup.
The grannies have shown there are no age limits in football and no social barriers. That football brings people together all over the world and can change lives. The Gogos embody the message that is at the heart of the World Cup - this is your cup, my cup, THE WORLD’S CUP.
“Everyone joins together to celebrate the World Cup. It belongs to everyone, wherever you are, whoever you support and no matter your age. It truly is The World’s Cup and its best celebrated with everyone’s drink, Coca-Cola” says Sharon Keith, Marketing Director of Coca-Cola South Africa.
