Sports Minister: Pitso Mosimane deserves white coach salary
· The South African
Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie has urged SAFA to pay Pitso Mosimane fairly. He is arguing that the decorated coach deserves the same starting salary as former Bafana Bafana mentor Hugo Broos.
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SAFA’s National Executive Committee approved Mosimane’s appointment on August 8, but the association has not officially announced the coach because negotiations over his contract remain unresolved.
GAYTON MCKENZIE BACKS PITSO MOSIMANE
The delay comes at a difficult time for Bafana Bafana. The CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifiers set to begin in September.
South Africa have been drawn in Group D alongside Guinea, Eritrea and Kenya. Bafana Bafana are scheduled to face Guinea and Eritrea in September before playing Kenya twice in November.
Speaking at the South African Sport Awards on Sunday evening, McKenzie questioned why SAFA had taken so long to finalise Mosimane’s contract.
“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,” said McKenzie.
The minister then addressed the salary negotiations. He has said SAFA should not undervalue a successful black coach while paying white coaches more.
“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. 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 coaching achievements justify a competitive salary, particularly after the coach won the CAF Champions League three times during his career.
SAFA URGED TO VALUE MOSIMANE
The minister insisted that Pitso Mosimane should not be treated like an inexperienced coach, highlighting his success with Mamelodi Sundowns, Al Ahly and other clubs.
“Pitso Mosimane is not a coach of the ABC Motsepe League. Let us be straight about that issue. 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,” he added.
McKenzie specifically called for Pitso Mosimane to receive at least the same starting salary that Broos received when he took charge of Bafana Bafana.
“Pitso Mosimane should be paid. The least they could do is start him with the same salary they started with Hugo Broos. Black people are still hurt that they were underpaid and undervalued; we cannot have that.”
With the AFCON 2027 qualifiers approaching, SAFA faces increasing pressure to conclude the negotiations. The latest report suggests the deal is done, and the official announcement is expected this week.