Grant Kekana: Deputy Minister Pinky Beams With Pride After Son Made History at AFCON 2023

• Deputy Minister in the Presidency of South Africa, Pinky Kekana, is a happy woman
• Her son, Grant Kekana, was among Bafana's heroes at AFCON 2023 in Cote d’Ivoire
• She openly expressed her support for her son throughout the tournament in Abidjan

South African Deputy Minister, Pinky Kekana, is radiating with pride.

This is after her son, Bafana Bafana defender Grant Kekana, contributed to the team's historic journey to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023 semi-finals, a milestone not achieved in 24 years.

Returning from Ivory Coast, the national team proudly displayed their bronze medals to a crowd of soccer enthusiasts at OR Tambo International Airport.

Kekana, amid the celebration, made a heartfelt visit to his mother and shared a proud moment with his family.

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"As a proud mother and South African citizen, I extend my utmost pride to the team for representing our nation with distinction. May this success mark the start of many more achievements," she said, as quoted by Times Live.

The deputy minister openly expressed her support for her son throughout the tournament.

During an interview on the red carpet of the State of the Nation Address (SONA), she disclosed that her choice of wearing a white dress symbolised her peace of mind after Kekana was sent off in a tense semi-final against Nigeria, missing the subsequent third-place playoff against DR Congo.

The Mamelodi Sundowns defender received a straight red card for a last-gasp lunge on the edge of the box to deny a threatening Terem Moffi.

Reflecting on his mother's unwavering support, the player affectionately acknowledged her as the first person to allow him to chase his dreams.

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Kekana talked of her emphasis on education before pursuing sports, as she wanted him to finish school because all her siblings had struggled to do the same.

He also urged head coach, Hugo Broos, to not quit just yet, but rather to help the team achieve a greater goal, as reported by the South African.

The player suggested that stability within the setup was needed to help Bafana earn a place at the FIFA World Cup for the first time since 2002.

Kekana on facing Sundowns teammate Shalulile

Sports Brief previously reported when Kekana discussed facing his Sundowns teammate, Peter Shalulile at the AFCON 2023 in Ivory Coast.

Bafana Bafana were drawn in Group E and faced Mali, Tunisia, and Namibia in the group stage, with Shalulile rated as one of the PSL's best strikers.