For a footballer, hanging up one's boots can mean a big change in lifestyle and wellbeing, and whether good or bad it depends on the preparedness and the plans they have for their future. In some cases, the sad stories of ex-professionals falling on hard times are documented for all to see. While the overriding perception is that professional footballers earn huge salaries and make a lot of money through the game, the reality is that some earn a pittance. Tefu Mashamaite is on a mission to change the status quo. Together with his colleagues at the Football Union of South Africa, the newly-elected President of the organisation aims to make players understand contractual matters and is trying to enforce a minimum wage for all footballers in the topflight and second tier. In this interview with Soccer Laduma's Masebe Qina, the former Kaizer Chiefs defender outlines their plans and reveals why it's important for players to be taught more about contractual issues.
Masebe Qina: Congratulations on your appointment as the Football Union of South Africa (FUSA) President. What does the role entail?
Tefu Mashamaite: Well, we are a union that is taking care of the interests and welfare of footballers in South Africa. We are all about making sure that the most important people in the game, which are the footballers, are having their interests well taken care of. I was elected as the inaugural President of the union in a recent congress that we had, and I am looking forward to attending to the challenges that are being faced by footballers, as well as the milestone that we are aiming to reach in the coming four years.
MQ: What do you aim to achieve in the next four years?
TM: Obviously, there are several issues that the players face and most of the time there are conflicts between clubs and them. It is usually contractual problems and those are the issues that we will be tackling. We also want to expand by making the game financially rewarding to players. We also want to tackle the issue of mental health among footballers as that has been one of the matters in the spotlight in recent years. We want to make sure that players do not find themselves in situations where they are isolated when they are injured, for example, or having family challenges. We want to address such issues beforehand. We want to address footballers on the financial aspect of things to make sure that their financial welfare is taken care of.
MQ: A lot has been said about footballers falling on hard times after their careers have ended. The perception out there is that professional players earn huge salaries and that usually creates an impression that one should be able to live a decent life even after hanging up his boots. Are all footballers in the PSL earning big?
TM: Thank you for this question. What you are asking me forms part of the objectives that we have set. We will try and push for a minimum wage in the league. I think it's something that has been in the pipeline for a while now and we will be pushing for it to happen. I think it hasn't been given too much attention and that needs to change. We create this impression that players in the PSL (top tier) and NFD (National First Division, officially known as Motsepe Foundation Championship) are earning a whole lot of money. You would be surprised to find out that there are footballers out there who are still earning very little or close to nothing at the end of the day. So, as the union we commit to engage proper structures and the stakeholders, to say, "Can we push for a minimum wage to make sure that players are well taken care of."
MQ: What should a minimum wage be for players in the respective leagues?
TM: Well, it's something that we are still going to sit down about and discuss. But to just give you an example, you can't really survive while earning R5 000 a month. You can't survive by earning R10 000 a month… or even R15 000, for that matter. So, I think for both divisions it should be from R20 000 upwards to at least sustain the players for a decent livelihood.
MQ: Do footballers understand their worth?
TM: We are going to collaborate with some law firm to make sure that we create a situation where players can come and learn about things to do with contracts. I mean, it's an educational issue, and if you can look back you can see that there hasn't been any background about players being taught about contracts and so on. In most cases, players are just happy to sign because for them it is an opportunity to get them out of poverty. So, it would be just the player and his agent. It's a collective problem.
MQ: What are your plans for women's football?
TM: As part of the leadership of the union, we do have one female member and that goes to show how committed we are into making sure that we grow women's football. We are open to accommodating more to make sure that women contribute to the leadership of the union. We believe that only women can address issues affecting women in football because they understand the situation better. Women's football has grown in leaps and bounds and therefore we will be contributing to it growing further.
MQ: How will FUSA differ from other union(s) that might already be in existence?
TM: With us, it is not only the PSL and NFD, but it is also about the welfare of women in football, like I have just mentioned when you asked me the previous question. Our union is also about amateur football. We are going to the amateur ranks to make sure that we have members there as well. It will be important that we get representation there. Yeah, man, some of the things that I have mentioned to you, like mental health and financial literacy education, we will constantly engage footballers through workshops to make sure that the message is well-received.
MQ: Let's shift focus. What has the 2023/24 season been like for you from a football fan point of view?
TM: The season has been interesting. Every season is different to the other, but one thing that I can highlight is that the manner in which (Mamelodi) Sundowns is dominating is a bit worrying. Ordinarily, you would expect champions interchanging, but they have been way above the rest and that's a bit of a negative. But there have been different teams that have come to the fore. I mean, you have to commend how well Stellenbosch FC have been doing in recent times. They are one of the teams that have been on form, and I think they are building a strong team that will constantly be in the top four for the coming seasons, and for me that's a positive. Having said that, the season still has a long way to go and a lot can happen. But the way things have been going, it (Sundowns' dominance) is something that is not really good for South African football.
MQ: Why do you think your former club, Amakhosi, have struggled to win trophies in recent seasons?
TM: Eish, my brother, I wish I knew the answer. Coaches have come and gone, and a lot of players too, and I don't really know what the problem is. When they started with Molefi Ntseki this season, I thought there would be a change, but things didn't go well for him. Cavin Johnson has taken over and I would imagine that they are hoping that he can at least get the combinations right. So far, he has done well and there are a lot of positives and hopefully things will carry on like that and there will be joy for Amakhosi.
MQ: Do you think Ntseki was given enough time though?
TM: No, I don't think he had enough time. But you have to understand that the situation under which he found himself was difficult. If a club has gone for more than eight seasons without winning anything and you don't have a good start, it can lead to the build-up of frustrations from people. The panic from the previous seasons affects the whole thing and there is no time. Any coach that joins the club is expected to win from the word go and that is a bit difficult because there are a lot of things to work on, like the combinations and you have to get all the elements right.
MQ: Will the club need a new coach, or should they continue with Johnson beyond this season?
TM: It's a tricky one and I can't say now if the club will need a new coach or (should) continue with coach Cavin. It goes down to the agreement that they have with the man. I think they have given him until the end of the season and the results will determine his future. I mean, if he manages to do well with the players he has and maybe goes on to win the Nedbank Cup, then why not give him a chance?
MQ: Do they have the right players to bring back the glory days?
TM: I think they do have the right players in all departments. Chiefs have been signing quality players since the previous seasons but still came short in getting the combinations right. There are a whole lot of factors that go into getting a winning formula. The club just needs to make sure to tick all the right boxes to create a winning formula.
MQ: We hear you. Masha, thank you for talking to our readers and it sounds like you have your heart in the right place regarding the welfare of players and hopefully your union goes from strength to strength.
TM: There's a new kid on the block in the form of Football Union of South Africa and we intend to make a change when it comes to the players' welfare in this country. We urge people to rally behind us to make sure that we achieve our objectives. We are here to make a change. Our structure consists of people who have played football and therefore they understand the challenges faced by footballers. Thank you so much, my brother.
