Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie has weighed in on SAFA’s delayed contractual negotiations with Pitso Mosimane, demanding that the serial-winning coach receive equal pay to outgoing Bafana Bafana mentor Hugo Broos.
Although the SAFA National Executive Committee [NEC] approved Mosimane’s appointment on August 8, no official announcement has been made because contract negotiations are ongoing.
The delay in finalising contractual terms threatens to impact the national team’s preparations ahead of the CAF 2027 Africa Cup of Nations [AFCON] qualifying campaign, which kicks off in September.
South Africa have been drawn in Group D alongside Guinea, Eritrea, and Kenya. Bafana will face Guinea and Eritrea in September before back-to-back clashes against Kenya in November.
GAYTON MCKENZIE INSISTS PITSO MOSIMANE SHOULD BE PAID LIKE HUGO BROOS
Speaking at the South African Sport Awards on Sunday evening, McKenzie expressed frustration over the contract delay and called for parity regarding Mosimane’s remuneration compared to that of the departed coach, Hugo Broos.
“You know, I don’t understand what’s going on. I’m going to get a report because I have been told that Pitso Mosimane is our coach,” said McKenzie.
“Also, we must be honest. We come from a country where black people were paid less than white people. Those scars haven’t healed for many people. But we, as black people, cannot do the same thing that has been done to us, where we pay the white man more.”
McKenzie highlighted the three-time CAF Champions League winner’s credentials, emphasising that SAFA must properly value local talent.
“Pitso Mosimane is not a coach of the ABC Motsepe League. Let us be straight about that issue. It’s like we are scared of white people, where we pay them more, but when it comes to black people, it’s a different story,” he added.
“Pitso Mosimane should be paid. The least they could do is start him with the same salary they started with Hugo Broos. Black people are still hurt that they were underpaid and undervalued; we cannot have that.”
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