President Ramaphosa meets Banyana heroes at Union Buildings, pledges 'equal pay for equal work'

The Banyana Banyana party continued on Wednesday, with the heroes of the 2022 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) meeting South African President Cyril Ramaphosa at the Union Buildings in Pretoria.

Ramaphosa hailed the SA women for "lifting the hearts of the nation" and also called for an equal pay system to be introduced for men's and women's soccer.

On Tuesday, thousand of fans had gathered at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg to welcome back coach Desiree Ellis and her charges following their 2-1 win over Morocco in Rabat on Saturday night. 

It was Banyana's first triumph in an Afcon final in six attempts, and South Africa's first major silverware since Bafana Bafana won the continental showpiece all the way back in 1996. 

On Wednesday, Banyana were again greeted by a euphoric crowd at the Union Buildings that was singing, dancing and waving South African flags. 

There was a heavy police presence, but the mood was one of pure elation as the loudspeakers played Right Said Fred's Stand Up (for the champions) as the Banyana team bus arrived. 

The squad, gold medals draped around their necks, then walked the red carpet to the screams from onlookers before shaking the hands of Ramaphosa and sports minister Nathi Mthethwa. 

"Today our hearts are filled with pride. They are bursting at the seams with a great deal of joy," said Ramaphosa. 

"You promised that you would bring the cup, and it is here, where it belongs.

"When you took to the pitch on Saturday night in Rabat, we as South Africans - 60 million of us - were with you in spirit. We watched you, like gladiators, go to war.

"The good news of your win was like rain falling on dry, hard ground. You have, through your victory, lifted the hearts of the nation."

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