Pretoria: The Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, has announced that South Africa’s national sports teams will receive bonuses, with Bafana Bafana set to take the largest share – a R5 million payout. Addressing a media briefing on Tuesday in Pretoria, the Minister said Banyana Banyana, the national under-20 football team (Amajita), and the female Proteas will get R1 million respectively, while the Under-17 football team currently competing in Qatar at the World Cup (the Amajimbos) will receive R500,000.
According to South African Government News Agency, the Minister emphasized the importance of supporting national teams as they prepare for major tournaments including the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco and the World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. He remarked on the necessity of increased staffing and support, urging corporate South Africa and potential sponsors to contribute to the success of Bafana Bafana and other national teams. Fans were also encouraged to show their support by purchasing official team jerseys and wearing them on Fridays.
The Minister also highlighted ongoing efforts to strengthen integrity in South African football through the implementation of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology. This initiative aims to enhance the accuracy of refereeing decisions and uphold the integrity of the sport. The project, which has received initial financial backing from the Treasury, involves collaboration with FIFA and the International Football Association Board to ensure compliance with international standards.
The South African Football Association (SAFA) has appointed a VAR Project Team led by former referee Daniel Bennett and other respected figures in football refereeing. The team is tasked with overseeing the implementation process, which includes strict financial controls and collaboration with international football bodies. The plan is for SAFA to submit the initial infrastructure and setup budget to the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture before the end of the financial year in March 2026.