Deputy sports minister in Spain to accept flag for SA to host 2027 world event

The global showpiece will be staged in Cape Town from 6–10 October 2027, marking the first time Africa hosts the event.

Speaking to SABC Sport from Spain, Mabe expressed her delight and said the rainbow nation is ready to fly the African flag high.

This will be the first major global athletics championship hosted in South Africa since the 1996 World Cross Country Championships in Stellenbosch.

Mabe, who was appointed on 3 July 2024 as deputy to Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie, told the national broadcaster that the event will deliver significant economic benefits to the country.

She highlighted that 80 nations competed at this year’s edition in Spain and admitted the scale of the competition exceeded her expectations.

"We will be hosting these championships on behalf of all 54 African countries."

According to Mabe, preparations are already underway, with a local organizing committee appointed to drive the planning for 2027.

With the symbolic flag now in South Africa’s possession, World Athletics has given the go-ahead for the historic championships to be staged on African soil.

Mabe praised South Africa’s successful bid, which she said World Athletics could not resist.

She credited President Cyril Ramaphosa and his cabinet for backing the proposal, adding that the win proves the country’s capability to stage international sporting events of the highest standard.

"We need to thank the President for telling us to go all out to secure the hosting."

The deputy minister, who has been an ANC member since 2017, revealed that other South African cities expressed an interest in hosting.

However, Cape Town, with its iconic Table Mountain, was ultimately chosen as the ideal venue for the biennial global championships.