Minister for Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie has announced plans to help SAFA pay Bafana Bafana and Banyana Banyana players.
According to reports, both the senior Men’s and Women’s teams have not received match bonuses since September. The cash-strapped football association allegedly owes players in the region of R6 million.
In a formal statement issued on Thursday, Minister of Sport McKenzie confirmed that a R5 million advance would be provided to SAFA.
This advance payment will be deducted from the federation’s grant allocation for the 2025 financial year, ensuring that player salaries can be met ahead of the festive season.
GAYTON MCKENZIE HELPS PAY BAFANA BAFANA AND BANYANA PLAYERS ON CONDITION
“Following reports that the South African Football Association [SAFA] has become cash-strapped to pay player’s salaries ahead of the festive season, the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture [DSAC] has decided to advance the federation with R5 million,” the department announced.
“Minister Gayton Mckenzie wrote to the organisation to offer the advance, with the understanding that it will be subtracted from the grant paid in the 2025 financial year.
“This comes with the condition that SAFA’s leadership would need to provide reasons for why their financial affairs are so troubled, together with a viable turnaround plan to avoid such a situation in future. SAFA agreed to the conditions and thanked the Minister for the intervention,” added the department.
MINISTER OFFERS A HELPING HAND TO CASH-STRAPPED ASSOCIATION AHEAD OF FESTIVE SEASON
The sports minister McKenzie emphasised the importance of fair compensation for the players, stating that they deserve to be rewarded for their national service.
“We cannot allow players to go into this festive season without payment, especially since they have done the country proud,” said the minister.
“The men’s team recently qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations, and we need them to focus on preparing for this challenge, as well as making sure we get to the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Mexico, and Canada.
“Banyana Banyana have also led the way, winning the African Women’s Championship in 2022 and going deep at the FIFA World Cup last year.”
Meanwhile, in their correspondence to the Minister, SAFA CEO Lydia Monyepao explained that sponsorship revenues have been insufficient. The SA Football Association has also been dealing with delayed payments from various partners.
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