ATTENTION: NEWS EDITORS & REPORTERS
MEDIA RELEASE
For immediate release

Tuesday, 19 August 2025 

South Africa experienced one of the lowest national happiness levels for a Saturday  on Saturday, 16 August 2025, with happiness levels dropping to 7.17 (see Figure 1) on the Gross National Happiness (GNH) scale. Significantly below the average for Saturdays of 7.3.

This is according to internationally renowned wellbeing economist, Professor Talita Greyling. Prof Greyling, from the University of Johannesburg (UJ) who leads the Gross Happiness Project which measures emotional experience in near real-time. The GNH Project nowcast happiness levels in selected countries worldwide, using advanced data analysis techniques.

The decrease in national happiness coincided with disappointing sporting results that left sports fans at a “low” across the country.

• Soccer: Bafana Bafana (South Africa) were held to a goalless draw by Niger in their African Nations Championship Group C clash in Kampala on Friday, 15 August. Despite dominating possession and creating clear opportunities, Hugo Broos’s men were repeatedly frustrated by Niger’s disciplined defence.
• Rugby: On Saturday, the Springboks (South Africa) suffered a shock 38–22 defeat to Australia at Ellis Park, despite leading 22–0 early in the game. The Wallabies staged a remarkable comeback, led by captain Harry Wilson, to claim their first victory at Ellis Park since 1963.
• Cricket: South Africa lost a tense T20 match against Australia in Cairns later that day. Although the Proteas posted a respectable total of 172/7, Glenn Maxwell’s unbeaten 62 guided Australia to a two-wicket win with just one ball to spare, clinching the series 2–1.

Prof Greyling concluded that sport is an integral part of the country’s social fabric; “Sport plays a central role in South Africa’s happiness, and the losses and disappointments across football, rugby and cricket, in a single weekend profoundly affect the mood of the nation.”

Ends. 

Note to the media: Professor Greyling is available for interviews. Please contact me to arrange.

Issued by:
Masego Panyane
Media Liaison
masegp@uj.ac.za
011 559 1571
084 067 7528