Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie has called on SAFA to ensure Pitso Mosimane is paid at least the same salary as outgoing Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos if his appointment is finalised.
SAFA’s National Executive Committee approved Mosimane’s appointment on August 8, but negotiations over his contract remain unresolved, delaying an official announcement.
The uncertainty comes with Bafana facing a crucial period ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign, which begins in September.
South Africa have been drawn in Group D alongside Guinea, Eritrea and Kenya, with Bafana scheduled to face Guinea and Eritrea in September before meeting Kenya twice in November.
Speaking at the South African Sport Awards on Sunday evening, McKenzie expressed his frustration at the delay and questioned why an agreement had not yet been reached with the three-time CAF Champions League-winning coach.
“You know, I don’t understand what’s going on. I’m going to get a report because I have been told that Pitso Mosimane is our coach,” McKenzie said.
The minister then turned his attention to Mosimane’s potential remuneration, arguing that the South African coach should not be undervalued compared to his foreign predecessor.
McKenzie said the issue was particularly important given South Africa’s history of racial inequality and disparities in remuneration.
“Also, we must be honest. We come from a country where black people were paid less than white people. Those scars haven’t healed for many people,” he said.
“But we, as black people, cannot do the same thing that has been done to us, where we pay the white man more.”
McKenzie believes Mosimane’s achievements justify significant remuneration, pointing to his success at club level and his experience in international football.
“Pitso Mosimane is not a coach of the ABC Motsepe League. Let us be straight about that issue,” he added.
“It’s like we are scared of white people, where we pay them more, but when it comes to black people, it’s a different story.”
Mosimane’s credentials include winning the CAF Champions League three times, including twice with Al Ahly, while he also guided Mamelodi Sundowns to their maiden continental title.
McKenzie believes SAFA should therefore begin negotiations from a position that reflects Mosimane’s standing in African football.
“Pitso Mosimane should be paid. The least they could do is start him with the same salary they started with Hugo Broos,” he said.
“Black people are still hurt that they were underpaid and undervalued; we cannot have that.”
