PROFILE - KEBALEPILE RAMAFOKO: World Cup trauma turned in to TV dream

Name: Kebalepile Ramafoko

Age: 27

Hometown: Witbank, Mpumalanga

The 2010 edition of the FIFA World Cup is one of the most talked about globally. It didn’t only bring the vibe to South Africa but also gave birth to more football fans.

For Kebalepile Ramafoko, who was only 12 years old, being able to watch different matches on multiple SuperSport channels was total bliss. Well, at least until Diego Forlán spoilt the party for the host nation in the second group match.

“That is where my love for football started, that Bafana Bafana opening game against Mexico. Sometimes I still think about this one player, Diego Forlán. He still traumatises me to this day. I will never forget what he did to us. He scored the two goals and there was just no hope for us,” says Kebalepile.

INSPIRATIONAL

She hopes to be part of a generation that inspires the next on to dream.

“I knew that I always wanted to be on TV but I didn’t want to be on TV just for the sake of it. I wanted to impact lives. I entered Miss South Africa in 2024 and part of my advocacy was equal opportunities on and off the field focusing on sports.

"Sport has made me the person that I am and that is what I wanted to bring out. The current presenters are the ones we grew up watching, so for the next generation we want them to look up to somebody (and inspire them),” she says.

Kebalepile is excited of what the future holds as she hopes to make her dream come true.

“I will be bringing my authenticity in the way that I do things. Sport to me feels like home and SuperSport also feels like home especially going through the whole competition, that is where I see myself. Everyone will love how genuinely I am in it to win it,” she says.