A growing storm is brewing around the South African Football Association (SAFA) after it was revealed that the coach of the national U20 team, Amajita, earns under R50,000 per month—despite leading the team to a historic triumph at the U20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). Meanwhile, Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos is reportedly pocketing over R1 million monthly.
This massive salary disparity has drawn criticism from politicians and football fans alike, with many questioning SAFA’s compensation policies. Among them is Rise Mzansi legislator Makashule Gana, who raised the issue in a parliamentary committee session, pointing to the lack of recognition and rewards for the Amajita coach’s achievements.
No Bonus for AFCON Glory
Shockingly, it was also revealed during the same parliamentary session that the Amajita coach received no bonus at all for guiding the team to victory in a major continental tournament. This revelation sparked an online outcry, with South Africans taking to social media to voice their anger over what they see as systemic injustice in local football.
Netizens Call Out Double Standards
Many South Africans believe the coach is being overlooked and underpaid because of racial or national bias. Social media exploded with reactions:
- @KulaniWilson: “There’s a guy who once said, ‘We don’t appreciate black excellence.’ Coach Mdaka deserves a R1 million bonus for bringing home the U20 AFCON.”
- @Nyamza: “If the Amajita coach were a white foreigner, he’d be earning at least R500k a month. But we’re told we’re free?”
A Call for Change in South African Football
Public voices have united in demanding that SAFA re-evaluate how it compensates and supports development-level coaches, especially those who achieve results on international stages. Many are calling for more transparency, performance-based incentives, and fairer treatment of local coaches who nurture South Africa’s next generation of stars.
As the debate continues, questions remain: Will SAFA step up to address this inequality? And how can the system be changed to reward those who are building South African football from the grassroots up?
