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The government has made good on a promise by the President to offer a bonus to the South African Women’s football team who were crowned Africa Cup of Nations champions last month.
Sports, Arts, and Culture Minister, Nathi Mthethwa, announced on Tuesday that the government bumped up the bonus for the team to R15 million rand.
According to a statement, Mthetwa made the announcement at an event at the headquarters of the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee, attended by SAFA President, Danny Jordaan, among others.
“The President, noting the public calls for more funds to be channelled to the team, immediately asked that the R5.8million promised by the Department, be increased by a considerable amount,” Mthethwa said.
“Today, I am pleased to announce that the National Government’s contribution to the team, has been increased to R15 million."
Jordaan described the gesture as “unprecedented,” adding that it was important for women sports stars to be rewarded.
“For the first time you have the president of the country making a commitment to give them a bonus, the minister of sport doing the same, the federation doing the same, the provincial governments in our country doing the same,” he said.
The SASOL-sponsored Banyana Banyana won the continental title after beating hosts Morocco 2-1 at a packed Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, and Minister Mthethwa said the team would be rewarded for conquering the continent in style.
