On Tuesday, in addition to giving Banyana Banyana a cheque of R5.8 million, sports minister Nathi Mthethwa also promised equal pay.
After defeating Morocco 2-1 in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) final on Saturday night, Banyana Banyana was proclaimed the continent’s champion.
The women’s team received a rousing welcome upon arrival at OR Tambo International Airport on Tuesday as a result of the widespread celebration of their historic victory.
Along with the R9.2 million bonus for winning the African Cup of Nations, Sports Minister Nathi Mthethwa also presented a 5.8 million cheque to the Banyana team to recognise the team’s accomplishments.
“It is going to be a law in this country that Banyana Banyana and Bafana Bafana will be paid equally,” Mthethwa also notably announced.
“We are making that decision as the government. It’s not only Banyana Banyana but all the women’s teams [to be paid equally], we are supporting them as government.
“We’ve said to SAFA that when we give SAFA money they need to put a sum aside for women in general.”
Mthethwa continued by saying that it was obvious that creating a women’s league in South Africa had started to pay off.
“Many people who are happy today having seen Banyana Banyana winning don’t know that it didn’t start today. It was the money which government gave to SAFA, R21 million to form this league and this league is producing today.
“We have been going through the journey, together with the regional squads, the fans of football in this country, who have gone all over. Last year many people did not see Banyana Banyana winning COSAFA Cup and as a government we were there with Banyana Banyana and we incentivised them.
“Last year Mamelodi Sundowns Women’s team won the CAF Champions League, yes this is the money we are talking about. We incentivised Mamelodi Sundowns and today this squad which was here, many of players come from that squad of Mamelodi Sundowns.
“We are going all the way, because we don’t start now supporting both financially and otherwise our women in sport. What Dr. Jordan (SAFA president Danny Jordaan) is talking about the pay parity is a process which we’ll finish in all the processes in ensuring that women are paid equally.”
Numerous famous former players and other celebrities, as well as thousands of South Africans, were present in Johannesburg to witness Banyana’s spectacular ‘Proudly South African’ welcome.