Well-known sports supporter Mama Joy has come under heavy criticism on social media after sharing photographs of herself with members of the late footballer Jayden Adams’s family during his funeral service in Stellenbosch.
The funeral, held on Saturday, brought together family, friends, teammates, football officials and supporters who gathered to pay their final respects to the talented Bafana Bafana midfielder. However, what was meant to be a solemn occasion sparked controversy after Mama Joy posted several images from the service on her social media accounts.
Before travelling to Cape Town for the funeral, Mama Joy informed her followers that she would be attending the ceremony to honour the late football star. Following the service, she uploaded photos showing herself with grieving relatives. One of the posts drew particular attention after she mistakenly identified Jayden Adams’s grandmother as his mother.
The error, combined with the timing of the posts, quickly triggered criticism from many social media users. Several people argued that sharing photos with grieving family members at such an emotional moment was inappropriate and insensitive.
Screenshots from a livestream of the funeral, which also featured Mama Joy, were later reposted on her social media pages, adding to the growing debate online. Many users accused the veteran sports supporter of making the funeral about herself rather than focusing on remembering the life of the late footballer.
Numerous comments flooded social media platforms, with critics expressing disappointment over her actions. Some described the posts as attention-seeking, while others said the grieving family deserved privacy during one of the most difficult moments of their lives. Many questioned whether photographs with bereaved relatives should have been shared publicly so soon after the funeral.
Despite the backlash, Mama Joy spoke emotionally about the loss of Jayden Adams while addressing members of the media outside the funeral service.
She recalled meeting the footballer during the recent FIFA World Cup, where she had the opportunity to watch him represent South Africa. According to Mama Joy, Jayden acknowledged her from the field by waving, a moment she says she cherished.
Reflecting on the memory, she said she never imagined that only weeks later she would be attending his funeral instead of watching him continue to shine for both club and country.
Mama Joy also expressed her sadness over the young midfielder’s passing, saying she had been looking forward to seeing him feature in future international competitions, including the Africa Cup of Nations. She described herself as heartbroken by the tragic loss and admitted that she was struggling to come to terms with his death.
Jayden Adams’s passing has left the South African football community mourning the loss of one of its brightest young talents. Tributes have continued to pour in from teammates, coaches, supporters and football organisations, all remembering his contribution to the sport and the promise he showed throughout his career.
While the funeral was intended to celebrate Adams’s life and legacy, the debate surrounding social media etiquette at funerals has overshadowed parts of the event, with many calling for greater sensitivity when sharing content involving grieving families during moments of loss.
About the Author
