Address by the honourable Minister in The Presidency Responsible for Women, MP Susan Shabangu, on the occasion of the Women’s Football Celebratory Dinner at the Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg
Programme Director;
President of the South African Football Association, Dr Danny Jordaan;
Chief Executive Officer of SAFA, Mr Dennis Mumble;
All Sponsors of SAFA Properties;
Representatives of SAFA Women’s Football;
Coaches and Football Managers;
Sasol Banyana Banyana and Leagues Players;
Invited Guests; and
Fellow South Africans
It was only just over a month ago that we gathered together here in Sandton to celebrate the renewal of Sasol’s sponsorship of the women’s football league and the women’s national team.
Today, we gather again to congratulate Banyana Banyana on their sterling performance in bringing the COSAFA Cup home.
These achievements are not only a boost for women’s football, but they also set Banyana Banyana far ahead of their male counterparts in the men’s national football team.
The Banyana Banyana team has qualified for the Olympics, the Africa Women Cup of Nations and have proudly represented the country in many regional tournaments.
We also congratulate Interim Coach Desiree Ellis for her dedication to South African women’s football, and also on her achievement for being the first South African to win the COSAFA Women’s Championship as both a player and a coach.
What is most striking is that Banyana Banyana have achieved greatly with less resources than their male counterparts, and with less exposure.
Even though our male national team has been struggling to attract supporters to stadiums during local games, they have nonetheless continued to enjoy more media exposure and spectator attention than Banyana Banyana.
This status-quo is a reflection of the patriarchal nature of our society. In all areas of social, political and economic life, women still have to work twice more than men, yet men often are rewarded more, even when they do less.
At the same time, it is often women who bear the responsibility of taking care of families and of ensuring that those closest to them are warm and well-fed.
During the announcement of Sasol’s sponsorship renewal in September this year, we heard player after player from the Banyana team testify about the impact of Sasol’s sponsorship on their ability to provide for their families.
Banyana’s goal-keeper Andile Dlamini relayed her joy of exciting not just fans with her talent, but also her pride at exciting those at home to whom she is the breadwinner, even though she is in her early twenties.
It should not be acceptable that despite their achievements and responsibilities, women who play for the national team would be paid less than men who do the same, yet achieve less.
Just two years ago, we heard in Parliament that Banyana players were earning between R2000 to R5000 per game while their male counterparts were earning R30000 for a draw and R60000 for a win.
These pay inequalities are not reserved for South Africa alone.
Women’s national teams all over the world are raising their voices and demanding more equality in pay.
The Nigerian soccer team has before held a sit-in protest over unpaid allowances and bonuses. The American team were involved in a long-running battle over pay with US Soccer, and the Ireland Women’s national team once threatened to strike over pay gaps. In the same spirit, the Denmark team called off yesterday’s World Cup qualifying match against Sweden due to disputes over pay and the conditions of service.
Yet equal pay can be achieved!
The Norwegian women’s football team has in the past few days become the first female national team to receive the same pay as the men’s national team.
What is more remarkable is that Norway’s men’s national football team contributed to the changes by contributing a pay decrease to be channelled to the women’s pay hike.
What this confirms is what we also believe as the South African government, particularly as the Department of Women, that gender equality demands the attention and actions of all of society, both men and women.
As the Minister Responsible for Women, I commit to working with SAFA to ensure that we continue to raise sponsorships and recognition for our women’s football.
We also welcome the commitment made by the President of SAFA in September this year, to advocate for the amendment of the SAFA Constitution to ensure that women are well-represented in the SAFA Board.
We also convey our gratitude to Sasol for their continued commitment to women’s football in South Africa through their long-term sponsorship of the Sasol League and Banyana Banyana.
Since the partnership between SAFA and Sasol came into effect, there have been notable advancements in the calibre and form of our national team and in women’s development soccer in general.
We also congratulate the players for making Sasol and the nation proud as they continue to improve their skills and achievements on the continental and global stages.
In conclusion, Programme Director. I congratulate Banyana Banyana and wish them the best for their next match against Burkina Faso tomorrow in Dobsonville.
Thank you.
