OFF they go as Banyana Banyana finally jet-off to the 2023 FIFA Womens World Cup at ‘Down and Under’ as both New Zealand and Australia are referred to in the sporting world.
After a bloody showdown due to contracts and appearance fee by players this past weekend, the Motsepe Foundation came to the party only late this morning to ascertain the team concerns were addressed.
Albeit the figure was not mentioned by the Dr Precious Moloi- Motsepe- the Foundation’s CEO and co-founder at the harshly arranged press brief today in Sandton, we can confirm on good authority the amount punted is a cool R6m.
“These are our champions, they sweat and they bleed for us. We need to treat them as such champions. We pay lip service to gender-based violence, we talk about these things at all levels and these are issues that are faced by all our players. Banyana are going to the World Cup and we should all be proud,” said Motsepe.
“The resolution of SAFA and Banyana dispute is a good example of the ability of South Africans’ to co-operate and work together to solve problems and difficulties in football and other spheres of life,” continued Dr Motsepe, who was supported by current Sundowns’ chairman Tlhopie Motsepe and businesswoman Bridgett Radebe.
The marathon meeting saw sport ministry, South African Players Union (Safpu), SAFA and other stakeholders locked in meetings that ended the impasse.
Thulaganyo Gaoshubelwe from the union said although the talks took a toll on them, they will engage robustly with SAFA’s President Dr Danny Jordaan to resolve this kind of embarrassment never to repeat itself in the future.
“We wish our ladies well as they face a mammoth task ahead at the World Cup and should enjoy themselves on the field and do what they know best; back here home we’re going to fight bitter- end to resolve the contracts and appearance fees for our Banyana.
Now that they’re about to board the plane and represent the country, they’re minds are now at ease and should do well. SAFA and us (SAFPU) we gonna settle this,” says the visibly irritated Gaoshubelwe.
Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Zizi Kodwa says now that the unfortunate situation has been resolved it’s up to the ladies to their magic on the pitch.
“We are glad to have been able to resolve this matter. Our players are happy with everything that has been put on the table for them. They now need to focus on the games coming because they will be looking to make the country proud,” said Kodwa.
“Now they need all the support they can get from all South Africans. We want them to make us proud at the tournament,” allaying concerns that SA bidding for Womens World Cup in 2027 could be a problem, asking cheekily “why should we bite off our noses?”
SAFA Pres Dr Jordaan says: “The team will now embark on the journey to the FIFA Womens World Cup and we are confident they have what it takes to make the country proud.
They’re mentally ready to serve face Sweden, Argentina, and Italy as they fly out today.”
Already each player is expected to get over R500 000 from FIFA for playing at the tournament.
The outspoken star-striker Thembi Kgatlane said although they “did not sign the contract”, the players look forward to the spectacle.
The team will depart in groups- the first will jet out on Wednesday and the rest of the team will leave on Thursday, including the backroom staff.
Meanwhile, Ithuba National Lottery has pledged R2 million to the team.
“We will not be dictating how they use the money, but it is to support the team to ensure that they have all the facilities and requirements that they will need.
There was a discussion that was held this morning (Wednesday). Our company is very much around women empowerment. When we got the call of opportunity to be part of this, we jumped on to that, it was last minute,” commented Michelle Van Trotsenburg- head of Marketing at Ithuba Lottery.
Going forward in terms coming on-board is something to be discussed with SAFA, says Van Trotsenburg, who also noted the last minute action from their leader and Ithuba boss Miss Mabuza for taking the ‘bull by its horn’ by pledging the amount.
Top image supplied (From left Min Zizi Kodwa, Thulaganyo Gaoshubelwe (SAFPU) SAFA boss Dr Danny Jordaan and Dr Precious Moloi- Motsepe, from the Motsepe Foundation, at the packed to capacity media brief held at Hilton Hotel, Sandton on Wednesday morning).
