An interesting finding about sports followership in South Africa has been shared.
According to the Gross Happiness Scale (GHS), which evaluates data across the country, significant negative changes are observed, especially when the national team loses a sporting event.
This effect becomes even stronger when losses are unexpected or when fans are emotionally invested in the match.
At the same time, the impact is more pronounced when a larger number of people experience the emotion simultaneously.
According to Professor Talita Greyling from the University of Johannesburg, South Africans’ collective emotions are often closely linked to specific events, with sports having one of the greatest influences among them.
Professor Greyling noted that when the country is generally happy, productivity increases.
She also stated that South Africans have a resilient nature and can transition quickly from sadness to happiness.