DA calls on Minister Mbalula to intervene in Banyana Banyana bonus row
06 January 2016
The DA has today written to the Minister of Sport and Recreation, Fikile Mbalula, to ask him to intervene in the delayed payment of bonuses to Banyana Banyana by the South African Football Association (SAFA) following their qualification for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.
On 21 October last year the SAFA and SASOL, the sponsors for women's football, collectively announced that R1 million would be made available to be shared equally by the Banyana Banyana players for qualifying for the Games.
Yet, the DA can confirm reports that, more than two months after the announcement, the players have not been paid this money. In addition to this, the DA has reliably learnt that the players have also not been paid their daily allowances for the training camp held between 07 and 18 December 2015.
The non-payment of bonuses to date, coupled with delays in payment of match fees and daily allowances for Banyana Banyana is a broader reflection of SAFA ineptitude and its mistreatment of women's football, which amounts to blatant sexism because the same treatment has not characterised the male national soccer team.
This continued unprofessional management of Banyana Banyana, despite their success, is contaminating the development of women's football in our country.
We call on Minister Mbalula to intervene as a matter of priority to ensure that all football professionals are treated equitably and properly. We further call on the Minister to interrogate why, despite consistent success in continental football competitions, our national women’s team is paid “up to R5000 per match” by SAFA according to replies to questions put by the DA.
The majority of Banyana Banyana players rely solely on their match fees, daily allowances and bonuses for survival as they don't earn monthly salaries from their respective teams.
Bayana Bayana are professional soccer players and should not be forced to play a waiting game for money that they deserve and need.
It is disappointing that Banyana Banyana are treated unfairly by the very body that claims to value fairness and equality. The DA will continue to pressurise SAFA to treat women's football with the professionalism and respect it deserves.
Statement issued by Solly Malatsi MP, DA Shadow Minister of Sports and Recreation, 6 January 2016
