Banyana Banyana is returning to the soccer field following intervention by the Motsepe Foundation.
Precious Motsepe backs Banyana’s demands
Dr Precious Motsepe, the Foundation’s cofounder and wife to the Africa Minerals tycoon, Patrice, brokered a deal resolving the pay dispute between the South African Football Association (SAFA) and Banyana Banyana.
The spat between players and SAFA led to the team’s embarrassing walk out in Sunday’s friendly against Botswana.
Banyana management then scrambled to assemble a makeshift team that included a 13-year-old girl to take on Botswana.
The makeshift team was predictably thrashed 5-0, leaving SAFA officials red faced as the soccer salary scandal erupted.
Fight for equal pay pays off
Speaking at a press conference in Johannesburg on Wednesday, Precious Motsepe sided with players saying officials have mainly been paying lip-service when it comes to gender equality, adding, “it has mostly been rhetoric with no action”.
“It takes every single one of us to ensure gender equality becomes a reality,” stressed Motsepe.
Each player will now receive the promised R230 000 bonus in addition to the $30,000 (R560 000) FIFA fee.
“We must present our case on behalf of this national pride, to say they too deserve what Bafana Bafana (senior men’s national team) deserve, what the Springboks deserve,” said Sports Minister Zizi Kodwa.
Australia and New Zealand are co-hosting the World Cup from July 20 and African champions South Africa, Morocco, Nigeria and Zambia are representing the continent.
