The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) joins millions across South Africa congratulating Bafana Bafana and their entire coaching and support staff for their sterling performance taking South Africa to the next soccer World Cup. 

They have done the nation proud against difficult odds and provided hope to millions of young people on what is possible through sheer determination.  This is a welcome boost for the nation’s morale in a year when all sorts of cretins have sought to tarnish its image.

We urge the South African Football Association to aptly reward and honour these talented football players and their coaching and support team now and through the World Cup.  This is the product of their hard work and sacrifices.

It is long overdue that we honour our football players not only when they win trophies but throughout their careers.  Too many players have struggled as their careers prematurely end due to injuries.  Too many have succumbed to the temptations of a rush of cash and not been provided with the necessary advice and mentoring on how to save their earnings and prepare to invest in the next chapter of their careers, including by taking up further education opportunities.  Too often the nation has been pained to learn of players who once dazzled the country, die a pauper’s death.

SAFA and the Premier Soccer League need to take these matters seriously.  They need to engage with players and the South African Football Players Union (SAFPU) on how best to improve football players’ conditions and secure their long-term careers.  Establishing collective bargaining in the sector to achieve this is long overdue.  Lessons should be learned from how this has been done to a significant degree for South African rugby players.

COSATU will continue to nudge the sector to do more to empower and invest in its football players.

Issued by COSATU

Matthew Parks (COSATU Parliamentary Coordinator)

Mobile: 082 785 0687

Email: matthew@cosatu.org.za