The Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) victory by Banyana Banyana was a triumph for women’s football in South Africa, but it also served as a clear warning that the sport requires more financial support.
Social media users are urging the nation to take collective action in response to issues such as wage and bonus disparities and a lack of finance, sponsorships, and fans in the stands.
Anele Mdoda, a celebrity who has urged corporations to follow through on their promises, is one who fully supports this.
After their victory and qualification for the 2023 Fifa World Cup, Twitter users urged sponsors to support Banyana Banyana.
Anele, who recently started working for Supersport, said that corporations too needed to support the Banyana Banyana.
Where are the auto sponsorships from BMW, Mercedes, and Audi? Woolies, Momentum, First for Women, Pick and Pay, and Discovery? Magazines: Here are your cover stars, and we’re sending them all the way to the World Cup!
Many Twitter users concurred with the media celebrity and offered various ideas for how common South Africans might support the team.
@Nhlaka niphoo: “Women should promote women’s sports by attending games, purchasing jerseys, tweeting hashtags, and attending stadiums.
@DJfuno: “As women, we need to think of ways to honour our daughters. Dedicate August to them.
On Friday, wear a Banyana jersey to support this squad with all sales proceeds. We must carry it out on our own.
“Even the Department of Women should do anything for once,” tweeted @AyaGatyen.
“I would want to see more bums in the seats when Banyana play,” said @siphiwelouis.
The Minister of Sports, Art, and Culture Nathi Mthethwa was also urged by Mmusi Maimane and Pearl Thusi to donate millions of Rands planned for “unnecessary” projects to Banyana Banyana.
Mmusi tweeted: “As the minister, you should be funding the fantastic Banyana squad that made the country proud, not trying to spend R22 million on flags that light up at night,
@NathiMthethwaSA. Set an example by completely supporting these victors’ careers and women’s soccer.
@NathiMthethwaSA, as the minister, you should be supporting the incredible #BanyanaBanyana team that made the country proud rather than trying to spend R22 million on flags that light up at night.
Let’s set an example by completely supporting these champions’ careers and the women’s soccer team.
twitter.com/NZp8h2cdYm
— Mmusi Maimane on July 24, 2022 (@MmusiMaimane)
Take the money for the flag, organise a procession, pay the participants, and support women’s football, sir, Pearl continued.
For the people your ministry ministers to, your tweets are completely meaningless.
Take the funds for the flag, plan a parade, pay the participants, and contribute to women’s football, sir.
For the people your ministry ministers to, your tweets are completely meaningless.
— Pearl Thusi on July 24, 2022 (@PearlThusi).
“WE’VE GOT TO INVEST IN WOMEN,” says Desiree Ellis.
Desiree Ellis, a former player and coach for Banyana Banyana, joined social media users and SA celebrities.
On Monday, July 25, Desiree urged businesses to join the Sasol and Hollywoodbets sponsorship programmes.
It’s not enough, she said. To ensure that we go to a new level, that teams don’t struggle, and that they can pay their players, additional sponsors must join the effort.
We must invest as well if we want to keep up with the nations that are making investments in women’s soccer.
“Now that we’ve demonstrated our true selves, we hope that more corporations will join to ensure that we raise women’s football across the nation.
We undoubtedly possess skill, but it by itself won’t keep you in the top tier.