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'When you look at all the trophies, they hardly include two important figures: the player and a supporter,” shared Makamo.
Designer of the new Betway Premiership trophy, Nelson Makamo. Picture: @MbuyiseniNdlozi/X
After waiting months for the Betway Premiership trophy to be designed by renowned artist Nelson Makamo, local soccer fans have mixed reactions to the league’s new trophy.
The new trophy was unveiled this past weekend after Mamelodi Sundowns’ 2-0 victory over Magesi. Sundowns were confirmed as league champions the week before.
THIS TROPHY WAS PROBABLY DESIGNED BY A SMOKER FROM CAPE TOWN (OKA PIPE) HUBBLY BUBBLY #BetwayPremiership #sundows pic.twitter.com/rGyZDd3giY
— 🅿️🅿️L9ICE🍋🔥 (@PPL9ICE) May 18, 2025
While those who are pleased with the new design seem to be Sundowns fans, several fans ridiculed the design, with many comparing it to a hookah pipe because of how it looks.
The Citizen contacted Betway, the league’s sponsors, who said questions should be directed to the league itself. However, the PSL has yet to respond.
Nelson Makamo…. That’s the tweet 🔥 pic.twitter.com/ObKSismMwM
— Mbuyiseni Ndlozi (@MbuyiseniNdlozi) May 19, 2025
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Thought behind the trophy
In an April video posted on Betway’s YouTube page, Makamo chats with former soccer players- Oupa Manyisa, Mpho Makola, Lucky Lekgwathi and Lehlohonolo Majoro.
Former striker Majoro asked the artist if he had a concept in mind for how he wanted the trophy to look. Makamo said he had a couple of ideas.
Expected something like this beauty https://t.co/H4F67TrGWb pic.twitter.com/4PEPsDwv5B
— Mazwide 💙 (@Nkoskhodola_23) May 19, 2025
“When you look at all the trophies, they hardly include two important figures: the player and a supporter,” shared Makamo.
“So for me, it was one of the things where I said ‘these are the people that actually make the league’ they define the league.”
In the same conversation, the artist mentioned that most trophies only use silver and bronze.
“It’s unusual to find gold on a trophy, and in South Africa we have [gold]. So hopefully, if all goes [well], there will be a bit of gold”
— Roboto x3 (@Robot_Boii) May 19, 2025
“For me, the trophy means a lot to me,” said former Mamelodi Sundowns Captain Hlompho Kekana.
“That’s why when I see a trophy, it has to be a trophy that speaks to us players, as a country and the history of football in South Africa, because then it will live forever in our memories.”
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‘Complementing number one’
In another promotional video by the league sponsors in November, Makamo discussed how trophies are seldom focused on after a team wins them.
“Usually, we don’t get to focus on the trophy. The trophy was not that important; the most important thing is that you were number one,” said Makamo in the video.
I love it!!!
— Andile Ncube (@AndileNcube) May 18, 2025
Nelson Makamo did the thing.
pic.twitter.com/H0A4Wr1VCg
“That number one needs to be complimented as well.”
The world-renowned visual artist from Modimolle in Limpopo said he wanted to create something symbolic with the trophy.
“When I learn more about the project, it was to also look at the heritage and how do we celebrate South Africa especially soccer, as on sport that managed to give and offer therapy to a lot of during the dark period of the country as well” he shared at the time.
In the video, Makamo speak about soccer fans’ impatience and eagerness to see the trophy.
This Betway league trophy 🤣🤣🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/fINVaf40Tm
— Carl🦉🇿🇦 (@KeanuMafa) May 18, 2025
“People are still asking…they even went as far as getting into my social pages, and they were not asking politely. They were like, ‘hey, where’s the trophy?’.”
The artist said South Africa is one of the most cultured countries in the world. “I need something that will reflect who we are if I’m gonna do it.”
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