Cape Town - The South African Navy, State Security Minister Siyabonga Cwele and Defence and Military Veterans Minister Lindiwe Sisulu, are among some of the thousands of South African fans that still believe Bafana Bafana can bounce back and beat France, when they come up against them in their final group match on Tuesday in Bloemfontein.
Cwele and Sisulu on Wednesday night joined over a hundred singing and jeering South African Navy crew aboard the South African Navy's corvette the SAS Mendi, moored in Simon's Town, to watch the game between South Africa and Uruguay.
Despite Bafana Bafana going down 3-nil to Uruguay, both Cwele and Sisulu were confident that South Africa can still produce the goods.
"We have not lost everything we can still recover," said Cwele, who believes the national side will beat France in their match next week.
The visit by the two ministers to the SAS Mendi is perhaps the first of its kind by top government officials to the military during a sporting event.
"We came here today to be with our sailors so that we can give them moral support and be with them as part of our nation building," said Cwele.
Sisulu said Bafana Bafana had done the country proud, but advised them to try the navy's training ground at Saldanha, on the West Coast.
"That's where we do our practical - it's a very terrain," said Sisulu, who revealed that her favourite player is Bafana Bafana midfielder Siphiwe Tshabalala, who scored South Africa's first goal in the World Cup.
The SAS Mendi's commanding officer, Captain Bravo Mhlana, said the visit from the ministers had raised the spirits of the crew.
"The crew indicated their support (for Bafana Bafana) and the morale, as you can see, is very high," said Mhlana.
Although the ship was last night tied at its moorings, he said it would return to Table Bay on Thursday where it is patrolling the area as part of the World Cup security arrangements.
Sub Lieutenant Ngema, who was watching the match onboard with fellow crew members, said he was very disappointed with Bafana Bafana's performance, but believed South Africa still has a chance.
"We can still beat France if we can keep a positive mindset among the players," said Ngema.
He said it was a "privilege and an honour" to have the ministers come out and watch the game with the crew.
But he pointed out that there was no time for the crew to book off to go and attend any of the matches.
"We are alert to every threat in the day and night, patrolling all over, especially when it comes to games in Cape Town," he said.
