South Africa Women Head Coach, Desiree Ellis has reinforced the call for equal pay for women athletes, echoing sentiments shared by many in South Africa and globally.
Desiree while speaking at the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) and the Sports for Change Network Africa’s Photo Exhibition—a visual tribute to Women in Sport Conference held in Johannesburg on Tuesday stated that the impact of equal pay on the standard of living for women athletes and their families, many of whom are breadwinners from disadvantaged backgrounds.
“It is their right to fight for it. It’s not just about wanting the money for themselves, but about ensuring they can live better, eat better, and improve their overall well-being. Equal pay is a significant issue, and women in sports deserve the same recognition and compensation as men since they invest the same amount of time and effort in their sport,” Ellis stated.
Ellis, who led the team to victory in the CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, emphasized the importance of implementing policies rather than offering mere lip service. She expressed hope that the newly appointed Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, would address these issues decisively, noting that little progress has been made over the years.
“I appreciate the energetic approach of the new minister and hope he can effect real change. Policies have been in place for a long time, but they need to be enforced and monitored, with accountability measures to ensure progress. Without this, we will be having the same conversation next year and beyond,” Ellis remarked.
Ellis believes that the playing field in football will only be leveled when sponsors support the cause and the Hollywood bets Super League turns professional. Without such support, club owners will continue to struggle to keep their teams afloat.
