President Cyril Ramaphosa paid a courtesy visit to the Premier Soccer League (PSL) offices in Parktown, Johannesburg, on Monday, 2 November 2026.
Ramaphosa met with PSL chairman Dr Irvin Khoza and the league’s Chief Executive Officer, Mato Madlala, where he praised the leadership for running what he described as the best-organised league on the African continent.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Ramaphosa said his visit was an opportunity to acknowledge the PSL’s achievements and its contribution to bringing happiness to millions of South Africans through football.
My visit here, as it has been courteous, has also been just to pay tribute to the PSL for what they have achieved,” said Ramaphosa.
He highlighted the popularity of football in the country, referencing Nielsen measurements presented to him by Khoza, which indicated that 77% of South Africans who love sport are football supporters.
Ramaphosa also singled out the Soweto Derby between Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs, praising its stature both on the African continent and internationally.
The derby, which he [Khoza] has told me that they have trademarked, is the best derby on the continent and also globally,” he said.
The President described the derby as a significant achievement for South African football and congratulated the PSL on its efforts to grow the competition’s profile.
The visit comes just days after the latest Soweto Derby, which attracted a sold-out crowd at FNB Stadium on Saturday, 31 October.
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Meanwhile, with South Africans set to head to the polls for the 2026 Local Government Elections on Wednesday, 4 November, Ramaphosa and Khoza also used the occasion to encourage football supporters to participate in the electoral process.
Khoza called on all PSL clubs and their supporters to turn out in numbers, urging them to make the elections successful.
All the clubs of the PSL, all the clubs, we are asking you and the supporters to go and vote in numbers. It will be most appreciated and make this a successful and exciting election,” said Khoza.
The PSL has also postponed its midweek fixtures scheduled for Wednesday to allow players, officials and supporters an opportunity to exercise their democratic right.