Keep fighting, Banyana

“Sports has that ability to unite all of us, but I think for me personally it is really about this moment that we are facing, paying lip service to gender equality.“We end up here because we do not do what we say we will do.”These were the words of South African Football Players&#039; Union president Thulaganyo Gaoshubelwe as Banyana Banyana fought to secure winning bonuses ahead of the FIFA Women’s World Cup.To provide some background: before heading to the Women’s World Cup which kick starts on 20 July to 20 August in New Zealand and Australia, the South African national side refused to play a friendly match at a below-par, rustic Tsakane Stadium.They also raised issues around the quality of their build-up opponents for the Cup and demanded answers in regards to their winning bonuses.The players were unhappy with the choice of 150th-ranked Botswana as a preparation game, and rightfully so, when in fact they will be facing third-ranked Sweden, 16th-ranked Italy and 28th-ranked Argentina in group G at the World Cup.The South African Football Association (SAFA) – unable to deal with the players concerns, and trying to avoid forfeiting a friendly match – hastily compiled a makeshift team which lost 5-0 to Botswana.With the threat of players pulling out of the World Cup altogether, SAFA had no choice but to sit with the players to discuss the thorny bonus issues.Now, in today’s reality, anyone can demand anything. However, if the demand is warranted, it must be attended to.The Motsepe Foundation, founded by CAF president Patrice Motsepe and his wife Precious Motsepe, came to the rescue of the players who had genuine concerns about their bonuses. Motsepe pledged N$6 million in funds to resolve the dispute.The National Lottery Commission further chipped in with a N$2 million donation towards the support of the national team.It means, from the R560 000 each they are set to get from FIFA as a participating fee, the players will get an extra R230 000 each from the Motsepe Foundation and just under R100 000 from the lottery, while the support staff will each get R115 000. This excludes daily allowances.Also, if the team makes it past the group stage, they will get more money.As reported by South African media, this means that each player could walk away with a pay-out of close to R900 000.I applaud the players for standing up for themselves. Those days of paying women footballers less, promising them manna and refusing to pay them after the tournament must come to an end.The national team is not club football. The players will be representing South Africa and they should be treated with respect and equipped in all ways possible to be able to execute the task laid before them.No one should be worrying about how they will be able to pay their bills once they return from representing their country at such a prestigious tournament.Most importantly, as sports leaders, stop fighting athletes when it is time to pay them and the rest of the countries, follow South Africa’s example – support your athletes equally.– limba@namibiansun.com

Keep fighting, Banyana

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Namibian Sun 2025-03-19

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Keep fighting, Banyana

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Namibian Sun 2025-03-19

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