Before the crowds cheered and the jerseys were worn with pride, it was Champion Moms who saw greatness long before the world did.
South Africa (11 May 2025) – While stadiums roared and rivalries ignited across the pitch this weekend, Carling Black Label did something different. Just ahead of one of South Africa’s biggest football moments, the brand took a step back from the goals and glory to pay tribute to the women behind the scenes… the mothers who raised champions.
This Mother’s Day, Carling released a powerful new video across its digital platforms, turning the spotlight onto the hearts and homes where true greatness begins. As part of its ongoing Champion Moms initiative, the brand partnered with two players from Soweto’s iconic football clubs, Mduduzi Shabalala and Thalente Mbatha, to honour their mums in a way that’s deeply personal and incredibly moving.
Before Mduduzi wore the Amakhosi jersey, he was a young kid with a ball and a dream. His mother remembers how that dream first began to show itself.
“We bought him so many shoes. But there were always holes in them,” she recalls. “That’s how we knew — wherever he was, he was playing football. That’s where it all began.”
For Thalente’s mother, her son’s journey was marked by a name that carried meaning from the very beginning.
“When they asked me what I would name him, I just said Thalente,” she says. “I don’t know why. I think it was my way of manifesting that he would be talented.”
These reflections form part of a heartfelt digital tribute that blends quiet, personal moments with words that resonate across generations. In one scene, Mduduzi surprises his mother at home:
“What are you doing here?” she asks.
“I came to visit you,” he replies.
Her response is brief but full of history.
“Thank you so much for everything you have done for the family. I love you.”
“I love you very much,” Mduduzi answers.
A similar moment unfolds between Thalente and his mother.
“Is it really you?” she asks with disbelief. “I am very proud of you and the person you have become.”
To which he replies: “You are my champion too, Ma. I love you.”
You can watch the emotional video below:
The content piece is part of the broader Champion Moms campaign, which invites South Africans to reflect on the most impactful advice or encouragement they’ve received from their mothers. Throughout the week, selected messages from fans will appear on digital billboards across the country, turning everyday public spaces into living love letters.
Kerryn Greenleaf, Brand Director for Carling Black Label, explains the campaign’s purpose: “We live in a country where mothers are the first teachers, the first believers, the first protectors. This campaign isn’t about football glory, it’s about the unseen work of mothering, and the words that keep us going long after we leave home.”
In the final moments of the video, respected commentator Baba Mthethwa delivers a closing line that echoes well beyond the screen.
“A mother’s love is unrivalled. End of the story.”
This Mother’s Day, Carling Black Label reminds South Africans that greatness begins at home — and that every champion we know was raised by one.
To share your own #ChampionMom words, visit Carling Black Label’s social media pages.
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