Cyril Ramaphosa Earns R3.5 Million a Year While Pitso Mosimane Reportedly Takes Home R10 Million

The salary gap between South Africa’s highest political office and its most celebrated football coach has become a talking point, with President Cyril Ramaphosa earning just under R3.5 million annually while Pitso Mosimane reportedly commands R10 million per year as Bafana Bafana coach. President Ramaphosa’s salary was recently adjusted following a 3.8% inflation-linked increase approved by the National Assembly, raising his annual pay from approximately R3.3 million to just under R3.5 million. The adjustment, effective from April 2026, followed a recommendation from the Independent Commission for the Remuneration of Public Office-Bearers. While the increase was described as modest and in line with inflation, it still drew opposition from some political parties who challenged the president to forego the raise.

In contrast, Pitso Mosimane’s reported R10 million annual package as Bafana Bafana head coach places him well above the president in earnings. The South African Football Association initially offered R5 million, which Mosimane rejected, leading the NEC to approve a revised offer of R10 million per year. This figure, however, remains significantly lower than the R16.8 million annual package earned by his predecessor, Hugo Broos, a disparity that Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie criticized as stemming from an “apartheid legacy”.

The comparison between Ramaphosa’s R3.5 million and Mosimane’s R10 million highlights a broader conversation about compensation in South Africa. While the president’s salary is determined by an independent commission and subject to parliamentary approval, Mosimane’s earnings reflect his status as one of Africa’s most successful football coaches, with three CAF Champions League titles to his name. His market value has been shaped by stints at clubs like Mamelodi Sundowns, Al Ahly, and Esteghlal FC, where his contracts reportedly reached even higher figures.

Sports Minister McKenzie has been vocal about the pay disparity between Mosimane and his predecessor, arguing that Mosimane deserves equal treatment. “Pitso must be paid what Hugo Broos has been paid,” McKenzie said, framing the issue as one of fairness rather than fiscal constraint. SAFA officials, meanwhile, have expressed concern that meeting Mosimane’s commercial rights demands could set a precedent affecting players and future negotiations.

The salary gap between the presidency and the national football coach is striking in a country where the average citizen earns a fraction of both figures. While Ramaphosa’s compensation is set by public accountability mechanisms, Mosimane’s earnings are determined by market forces in professional sports. The comparison raises questions about how South Africa values political leadership versus sporting excellence—and whether the R10 million for a football coach is justified by the hope of World Cup qualification.

Source https://x.com/Zikamnyamane/status/2107126934349987850