Every day we are bombarded with stories of people who seemingly become wealthy overnight. These stories capture our imagination precisely because they are so rare. The exception, not the rule.
But the truth is far less glamorous and far more powerful.
Growth comes through hard work, through vision, planning, discipline and resilience. It is built one day at a time, often quietly and out of the spotlight. As South African golfing legend Gary Player famously said: “The more I practise, the luckier I get.”
That philosophy resonates deeply with Standard Bank’s purpose of driving Africa’s growth. It is built on the belief that growth is a journey rather than an event. Our mantra, “Keep Growing”, reminds us exactly of that, and few local stories illustrate this principle better than Bafana’s.
Today, the national team is rightly celebrated. Yet it wasn’t long ago that they seemed absent from the conversation, while our rugby and cricket teams achieved global recognition. The national team failed to qualify for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon), a disappointment that forced a period of reflection and rebuilding.
Under coach Hugo Broos, Bafana began doing what successful organisations, businesses and individuals do when confronted by setbacks. They establish a vision, set clear goals and commit to the process. Most importantly, they trust that growth is possible.
At the 2023 Afcon tournament in Côte d’Ivoire, South Africa announced their return. After losing their opening match to Mali, they regrouped, defeated Namibia, drew with Tunisia, upset highly-rated Morocco and then overcame Cape Verde in a penalty shootout to secure the bronze medal. It was their best Afcon finish in 24 years.
To many observers, it looked like a breakthrough. In reality, it was the visible outcome of years of invisible growth.
After continental success, Bafana turned their attention to the bigger objective: the Fifa World Cup.
South Africa’s previous appearance was in 2010 when the country hosted the tournament and automatically qualified. However, the team did not advance beyond the group stage. Yet that experience provided an invaluable glimpse of what competing on football’s biggest stage looks like. Sixteen years later, Bafana returned not as hosts but on merit.
At the 2026 Fifa World Cup, they not only qualified but also reached the knockout stages for the first time in the country’s history, advancing to the Round of 32 before narrowly exiting against Canada.
To appreciate the achievement, consider the mathematics. The expanded 2026 World Cup featured 48 teams, but more than 200 Fifa member nations entered qualification competitions around the world.
Simply qualifying meant finishing among roughly the top 23% of national teams globally. Advancing to the Round of 32 required surviving the group stages.
In effect, South Africa progressed to a position occupied by approximately the top 15% of all football-playing nations on the planet. That is exceptional. Yet perhaps the most exciting aspect of Bafana’s story is that it extends beyond the team itself.
Their performance showcased individual players on the biggest stage in world football. Some have attracted interest from international clubs. Others will gain opportunities to compete in stronger leagues. They will return with new skills and perspectives that will strengthen South African football as a whole.
And this is where growth starts to compound. A stronger national team produces stronger players. Stronger players inspire stronger youth systems which create future national teams. Success becomes self-reinforcing.
Bafana reminds us that growth rarely arrives as a sudden breakthrough. More often, it demands patience, requires belief during setbacks and demands focus on the next step rather than the finish line.
Africa’s growth and South Africa’s growth all follow the same pattern. And Bafana’s growth story is not over. In many ways, it is only just beginning.
- Sebesho is head of sponsorship, Standard Bank Group
- Stories of people becoming wealthy overnight are frequently highlighted in the media.
- Such stories attract attention because they are extremely rare occurrences.
- Becoming wealthy quickly is the exception rather than the norm.
- The article suggests a more realistic perspective on wealth accumulation.
- Full details of the story are available in the e-edition of Sunday World.
Every day we are bombarded with stories of people who seemingly become wealthy overnight.
But the truth is far less glamorous and far more powerful.
Today, the national team is rightly celebrated. Yet it wasn’t long ago that they seemed absent from the conversation, while our rugby and cricket teams achieved global recognition.
At the 2023 Afcon tournament in Côte d’Ivoire,
To many observers, it looked like a breakthrough. In reality, it was the visible outcome of years of invisible growth.
After continental success, Bafana turned their attention to the bigger objective: the Fifa World Cup.
At the 2026 Fifa World Cup, they not only qualified but also reached the knockout stages for the first time in the country’s history, advancing to the
To appreciate the achievement, consider the mathematics.
Simply qualifying meant finishing among roughly the top 23% of national teams globally.
In effect,
Bafana reminds us that growth rarely arrives as a sudden breakthrough. More often, it demands patience, requires belief during setbacks and demands focus on the next step rather than the finish line.
Africa’s growth and
Sebesho is head of sponsorship,Standard Bank
