South Africa’s firebrand Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has joined forces with the national women’s team (Banyana Banyana) to demand that female soccer players receive equal pay for representing South Africa on the biggest stage.
The EFF organized a peaceful protest outside SAFA House and demanded for the women’s team to receive the same amount of financial support as their male counterparts.
SAFA chief executive Tebogo Motlanthe confirmed that they have received the memorandum from the party and Banyana Banyana figureheads.
The Julius Malema-led Red Berets have given the Football Association 30 days to agree to the proposals – and have threatened to shutdown Bafana Bafana fixtures if they fail to do so. EFF Deputy Secretary-General Poppy Mailola vowed that ‘no men’s internationals’ would take place on their watch, if no action is taken.
Banyana Banyana in a past match
EFF demands to SAFA:
- Equal pay for Banyana Banyana as compared to Bafana Bafana.
- Daily Allowance of R5 000 to be paid to players prior to the game – and in dollars where the match is outside SA.
- Game Bonus of R90 000 must be paid out immediately after the game.
- Make the pay-out of an appearance fee R50 000.
- SAFA must organise travel logistics for players to and from their respective homes between matches.
- Players must be provided with their own personal and private sports gear.
- SAFA must initiate the process of establishing a fully-fledged, first-class women’s football league.
- Medical support and compensation of R30 000 should be paid to players injured on the field until full recovery.
- Include in their contractual agreements a non-negotiable clause that sponsors must sponsor both national teams.
- Equitable and reasonable compensation must be paid to all Banyana Banyana Legends for the past 20 years.
