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The five Limpopo-born Banyana Banyana players were finally presented with their R100,000 cheques by the Limpopo Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, at the provincial sports awards.
Lebogang Ramalepe, Noko Matlou, Amogelang Motau, Hilda Magaia and Nomvula Kgoale were promised the money by former MEC of Sport Thandi Moraka five months ago following the ladies’ heroics, with the senior national women’s team at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.
Magaia and Kgoale were present at the awards ceremony on Sunday, while the other players were represented by their families.
On top of the R100k, the players got an extra R2,000 from the Limpopo Business Women Association.
Magaia, who scored a brace in the WAFCON final against Morocco, told the media after the ceremony that she is just pleased the department eventually honoured their word.
“I think overall they kept their word that they were waiting for the awards,” she said.
“Since the awards came they honoured us and it’s a good thing but it’s not really as exciting as it was at first. But we really appreciate that they really kept their word and gave us the money and we are happy.”
Kgoale was also appreciative but emphasised that it did not come without a fight, also acknowledging the role that iDiski Times played in keeping the story alive until things were resolved.
“It didn’t come without a fight and I must thank you, Lethabo,” Kgoale said.
“I can’t believe how she was so persistent every single time when I and the other ladies called her. Sometimes I didn’t believe it (that we would get the money) because of how long it took and how we had to follow up with them. It feels good but it did not go without a fight.”
The duo also appreciated the extra incentive saying they couldn’t believe it how the business women association reached out to them, saying they wanted to help the players.
Story by Lethabo Kganyago (@KganyagoLee).