Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Nathi Mthethwa has given the all-conquering Banyana Banyana R5,8 million after they won the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations trophy in Morocco on Saturday evening.
Coach Desiree Ellis’ team defeated the hosts Morocco 2-1 in the final, which was played at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
And the president of the South African Football Association (SAFA) Danny Jordaan revealed that his organisation and the Ministry of Sport are working towards ensuring that there’s pay parity between male and female footballers.
Jordaan was speaking at the OR Tambo International Airport in Kempton Park after Banyana landed following their conquest in Morocco.
“The problem goes back to the commercial environment around women sport. Banyana get zero in broadcasting revenue,” Jordaan said.
“These are the issues we have to address. On the African continent, Sierra Leone were the first country to pay men and women the same after an agreement between the government and Sierra Leone Football. Brazil is now paying men and women equally. Norway has followed, England has gone that route. South Africa has to follow that route. We will follow that when it comes to reimbursement and bonuses.”
Mthethwa said: “Critics who talk on things they don’t know, we don’t worry about them. It’s not only Banyana Banyana, all women’s teams we are supporting them as this government. We are claiming this victory because we worked for it as government.”
