Today, it feels good to be a South African!
 
And for that we graciously salute and thank the champions of African football who beautifully and deservedly clinched this accolade at the 2022 WAFCON.
 
Champions, you are remarkable representatives of that which unites us as a nation. And it is of utmost importance that you understand the significant meaning of your victory for the hearts of all of us across South Africa.  

Your achievement talks to the catalytic role of sport in society. Whilst contributing towards human and social development, it also drives social cohesion, mutual tolerance, and integration. And these are solid instruments for physical and socio-economic development.
 
In other words, your discipline, dedication and determination that led to a triumphant record also encourages an atmosphere which can ensure an improvement of people’s lives, on and off the field. It is our understanding of this potential that today we can again confirm that our past and future investment in women sport remains correct.
 
Take for example the School Sport programme initiated by the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture in conjunction with Department of Basic Education, provincial departments and national as well as provincial federations which has been the bedrock for development and identification of talented athletes. 

Case in point is Nthabiseng “Chacklas” Majiya who hails from Richmond Ladies Football Club in the Northern Cape and is part of this team of champions - Banyana Banyana. She was identified through the School Sport Programme during the Winter Games of July 2019 in Durban.
 
The School Sport programme continues to make strides for women football. Earlier this year, during the inaugural FIFA Pan African Schools Football Championships held in Democratic Republic of Congo from 17 to 21 February 2022, our ladies’ team from Edendale Secondary School in Kwazulu-Natal came 2nd in the tournament.  During that tournament, 5 of the 18 players were selected to play for the National Under 17 Women Team that went on to represent South Africa in the match against Ethiopia.
 
The Department took a conscious decision that financial support provided particularly to big federations must be biased towards Women’s Sport. That is why funding from government to the South African Football Association, South African Rugby Union and Cricket South Africa is strictly for the development of women in sport programmes as well as school sport. In terms of football, the Department has since the inception of the SAFA Women’s League in 2019 committed and provided R 21 million towards the league, women’s programmes and schools football.
 
This approach was aimed at creating a bankable product that can be sold to Corporate SA for possible sponsorship.  It is pleasing to see SASOL’s continued support for Banyana-Banyana and now the Hollywoodbets investment in Women’s Football League.
 
It is important to indicate that support provided is from a budget of R114 million earmarked for all sport and recreation bodies. Meaning an amount shared by more than 65 sport and recreation bodies that includes SAFA.
 
Whilst we are pleased by sponsors like SASOL and Hollywoodbets coming to the party, it is important that we call for greater support and investment in women sport. The results speak for themselves, and it makes business sense to invest in this growing part of our sport.
 
So today we call for many more across Corporate South Africa to join in and support our women sport. The time is now!
 
Over the years the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture has been working with and providing support to University Sport South Africa (USSA) as we belief that it is critical for the high-performance pipeline.  

Nine (9) of the players in the current Banyana Banyana squad were previously part of USSA through various tertiary institutions like University of Johannesburg, University of the Western Cape and Tshwane University of Technology. The goalkeeper, Regirl Ngobeni, has been a particularly good example of how to keep a good balance between sport and education. She graduated in March 2022 despite her busy schedule with a Bachelor of Arts in Education degree from University of the Western Cape.
 
 There is also the discouraging gender-based pay gaps between male and female professional athletes which must be addressed by all role players in the sport and recreation fraternity. 

For example, female athletes receive less sponsorship and are paid less than their male counterparts. It was reported that Banyana's players receive a match bonus of R5 000 for a win in an official match, and R4 000 for a win in a friendly match.  In 2018 it was reported that Bafana Bafana players earn as much as R60 000 for a win and R40 000 for a draw. 
 
 Encouraging was the SAFA announcement in 2019 that Bafana Bafana and Banyana Banyana would earn the same amount of money during their respective participation at the Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt and Women’s World Cup. This is certainly a step in the right direction that is encouraged. The Department is addressing these unacceptable barriers through the development of the Women in Sport Policy. 
 
 This policy is designed to promote gender equity within the sport and recreation sector across various spheres of the industry covering administration, coaching, salaries of professional athletes and all other areas. The policy’s public participation process has gone through all provinces and will soon serve before Cabinet and Parliament.
 
 

In 2021 we incentivised Mamelodi Sundowns Women’s Team who won CAF Women’s Champions League. Furthermore, in 2021 we incentivised Banyana Banyana when they won the COSAFA Cup. All these based on our Recognition of Excellence Policy.
 
 Today we also announce that the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture will contribute an incentive totalling R5,8 million to the 2022 WAFCON Champions, Banyana Banyana.
 
 Champions, South Africa is grateful for the joy you have brought into our hearts. Thank you for flying the South African flag high and putting a sparkling and motivating spotlight on what brings us together and brings out our shine