07 August 2023

The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) congratulates Banyana Banyana for their stunning World Cup successes.  Against great odds, they have raised the bar for South African soccer internationally, not only for future women’s team but men as well.  The nation is proud of Banyana Banyana.

We hope that their success will serve as a wake up call for the South African Football Association (SAFA), the Premier School League (PSL), government and the broader sports fraternity to take the need to invest in not only women soccer players but also in women sportspersons, professional and amateur, more seriously.

Our support for Banyana Banyana must not be restricted to platitudes at a press conference but translate into equal pay for equal work.  The days of women soccer players being paid less than their male counterparts needs to be a thing of the past not the future.

Football teams as well as SAFA and the PSL need to equally recognise that footballers, men and women, are workers, and their rights, including to unionise and collective bargaining, to decent pay and career guidance, need to be recognised and respected.  We have seen far too many footballers who once dazzled stadiums only to be discarded into poverty when they are injured.

Issued by COSATU

For further information please contact:
Matthew Parks
Acting National Spokesperson & Parliamentary Coordinator
Cell: 082 785 0687