Facing mounting financial pressures, the South African Football Association (Safa) is considering cutting salaries for its top-earning staff in an effort to avoid bankruptcy and potential liquidation. The plan, revealed at a recent National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Mbombela, aims to reduce the association’s annual salary bill by R10 million.
Finance committee chairperson Mxolisi Sibam tabled the proposal on Tuesday, suggesting salary reductions ranging from 5% to 25% for employees earning over R600 000 a year. Staff earning below this threshold would not be affected.
An NEC member who attended the meeting said the cuts were part of a broader strategy to bring Safa’s total salary expenses under R35 million per year, amid liabilities exceeding R260 million.
Executives in the Spotlight
Those likely to be affected include CEO Lydia Monyepao, executive management, CFO Gronie Hluyo, and marketing executive Errol Madlala. Chief operating officer Tebogo Motlanthe has already left the association. It remains unclear whether technical team members, such as Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos, Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis, incoming technical director Molefi Ntseki, or team manager Vincent Tseka, will face cuts.
Broos, reportedly Safa’s highest-paid employee with a monthly salary exceeding R1 million, is unlikely to be affected as he plans to retire after the World Cup. Ellis could be impacted if she signs a new contract.
Nine provincial executive officers (PEOs), who currently earn between R300 000 and R400 000 annually, could also face significant reductions. Sibam reportedly proposed that their pay be cut to R8 500 per month starting July 2026, with non-compliance potentially resulting in dismissal.
Other Cost-Saving Initiatives
Safa is also looking at other measures to reduce expenses. NEC meetings will be restricted to single-day events with overnight stays only for members traveling over 600km, cutting hotel costs by up to 60 percent.
Per diem allowances for heads of delegations in CAF interclub competitions will be reduced, and travel costs shifted to clubs. Staff bonuses will be linked to revenue exceeding R350 million.
A restructuring expert will be appointed for 2–5 years to implement cost-saving measures, reporting directly to the CEO.
In the 2023–24 financial year, Safa reported revenue of R380 million against operational costs of R385 million, highlighting the urgent need for financial discipline.
A History of Salary Cuts
This is not the first time Safa has proposed salary reductions. In 2020, then-Bafana coach Molefi Ntseki was among employees affected when a mandatory 15 percent pay cut was imposed across all divisions to avoid financial collapse.
Sibam has deferred media comments to Safa’s CEO, who is expected to provide an official response regarding the proposed measures.
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