The introduction of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology into South African football has taken a significant step forward, with a provisional budget and a clear direction now outlined by the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture following a parliamentary question posed by Rise Mzansi MP and Chief Organiser, Makashule Gana.
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In a formal reply to Gana’s inquiry, minister of Sports, Arts & Recreation Gayton Mckenzie confirmed that the department has set aside an estimated R90 million for the establishment of a national VAR system, which will be used across professional leagues. While the figure remains a working budget, officials noted that the final amount may come in lower depending on the procurement process.
Minister Mckenzie had already spoken to Soccer Laduma about the budget for VAR, where he estimated costs of between R70 million and R80 million, but with the system not in operation yet, costs could potentially rise over time.
Now, Gana's series of probing questions to the Minister of Sport covered everything from cost implications to operational responsibilities and the inclusion of goal-line technology. In response, the department confirmed that the process of procuring the system — as well as evaluating supplier proposals — is underway in collaboration with the South African Football Association (SAFA). However, the actual process had not yet formally commenced at the time of reply.
"A proposal evaluation committee is being put together by SAFA," the department explained. "They will evaluate the proposals that were submitted to SAFA, most likely in early June."
At least a dozen proposals have already been received, although none have been formally assessed. The selection of a vendor and the establishment of an implementation timeline will follow once the proposal evaluations and formal agreements between SAFA and the department are concluded.
Maintenance of the VAR system remains another unresolved element. As it stands, no official has been designated to oversee long-term technical support and operations. The department assured that this would be ironed out in a forthcoming memorandum of agreement.
Crucially, the VAR system is expected to include goal-line technology, a long-standing demand from clubs and fans who have grown increasingly frustrated with questionable officiating decisions during high-stakes matches. The department stopped short of confirming full operational details but indicated that the goal is a comprehensive system that incorporates multiple review technologies.
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Makashule Gana's intervention in Parliament reflects a growing urgency among public representatives to modernise the game and align South Africa with global refereeing standards. While VAR has already been implemented in several African leagues, including Egypt, Morocco, and Tunisia, South Africa has lagged behind despite having one of the continent’s most commercially powerful football competitions.
This renewed momentum offers a glimpse of optimism. With funding secured and proposals on the table, the path toward a more accountable and technologically advanced officiating system in South African football appears clearer than ever.
As the country waits on SAFA and the department to move from planning to execution, stakeholders will be watching closely to ensure the system not only arrives, but delivers the accuracy, fairness, and trust it promises.
