By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has welcomed the 2022 Women’s African Cup of Nations champions at the Union Buildings on Wednesday.
The women’s 2-1 win against Morocco saw them bagging the continental victory during the final game of the tournament.
Ramaphosa hailed the SA women for “lifting the hearts of the nation” and also called for an equal pay system to be introduced for men’s and women’s soccer.
It was Banyana’s first triumph in an Afcon final in six attempts, and South Africa’s first major silverware since Bafana Bafana won the continental showpiece all the way back in 1996.
On Wednesday, Banyana were again greeted by a euphoric crowd at the Union Buildings that was singing, dancing and waving South African flags.
There was a heavy police presence, but the mood was one of pure elation as the loudspeakers played Right Said Fred’s Stand Up (for the champions) as the Banyana team bus arrived.
The squad, gold medals draped around their necks, then walked the red carpet to the screams from onlookers before shaking the hands of Ramaphosa and sports minister Nathi Mthethwa.
“Today our hearts are filled with pride. They are bursting at the seams with a great deal of joy,” said Ramaphosa.
“You promised that you would bring the cup, and it is here, where it belongs.
“When you took to the pitch on Saturday night in Rabat, we as South Africans – 60 million of us – were with you in spirit. We watched you, like gladiators, go to war.
“The good news of your win was like rain falling on dry, hard ground. You have, through your victory, lifted the hearts of the nation.”
Ramaphosa, however, added that “much more” needed to be done to ensure the SA women could earn on the same level as men’s footballers.
“You deserve equal pay for equal work that you do,” Ramaphosa enthused.
“I’ve been told that you get paid 10 times less than your male counterparts, and that needs to come to an end.
“You should be given what you deserve. Danny Jordaan (SAFA president), we cannot continue supporting the notion that when Bafana Bafana play, they get much more than what Banyana Banyana gets. It must come to an end.
“We thank you for your skills, professionalism, cool and your integrity. You led Banyana Banyana with a great deal of dignity and we want to thank you as you led them to victory.
“Thank you to the captains for your abled leadership and for keeping the team focused and united. We are pleased that you provided this type of leadership.
“We stand proud as a nation on the African continent. We have no doubt that you will do us proud next year in the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) Women’s World Cup. You will have all of us behind you once again and we will wish you the very best there,” the President said.
Politicians including agriculture, land reform and rural development Minister Thoko Didiza and human settlements Minister Mamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane were part of the blissful celebration.