VAR Finally Coming to SA Football and Gayton McKenzie Says the Wait is Almost Over

VAR is (Finally) On its Way to South African Football

It’s been a long time coming, but South Africa is now just days away from finding out who will officially be in charge of rolling out Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology in local football.

Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie confirmed that his department and the South African Football Association (SAFA) will, this week, finalise which company will be awarded the contract to run VAR in the country.

“VAR has many different elements to it,” McKenzie said during a press conference following his budget vote speech. “My task was to make money available. FIFA requires that SAFA oversees the implementation, and now we’re working together to select the winning bid.”

The Department of Sport has pledged R90 million to the project — a much-needed injection for a country that’s been criticised for lagging behind its international peers in adopting modern football technology.

Social Media Divided but Hopeful

The announcement sparked a wave of reaction online. While some South African football fans are optimistic that VAR will finally bring more fairness to contentious PSL decisions, others expressed concern about potential delays, corruption, or poor implementation.

“Well, if it takes another two years to get VAR screens that actually work at the stadiums, I won’t be surprised,” one X user quipped. Another posted, “Happy that McKenzie is getting this done. The officiating in our league needs this badly!”

What Took so Long?

Many African countries, including Morocco and Egypt, have already implemented VAR in domestic leagues. South Africa’s top-flight has often been criticised for inconsistent refereeing and a lack of technological support to ensure fair play.

While there has been talk about VAR since 2019, actual steps towards implementation stalled due to funding, infrastructure concerns, and reported infighting between SAFA and the Premier Soccer League (PSL). McKenzie’s involvement, alongside the promise of R90 million in state funding, appears to have finally unlocked progress.

Siwelele’s Return and McKenzie’s Clarification

On a separate but closely watched topic, McKenzie also took a moment to clarify his family’s involvement in the revival of Siwelele FC (formerly Bloemfontein Celtic), after his son Calvin Le’ John purchased SuperSport United’s PSL status for a reported R50 million.

“Let me be clear: I will not be involved in the running of Siwelele,” said McKenzie. “As a minister, I’m not allowed to be involved. I’m just happy it’s back in the Free State.”

He called the club’s return a matter of cultural pride rather than profit. “Siwelele is a heritage. There’s something missing in my soul as a Free Stater if it’s not back.”

The Road Ahead for South African Football

Between the reintroduction of a beloved Free State club and the long-awaited arrival of VAR, it’s clear that South African football is on the cusp of a transformative chapter.

If the rollout is handled properly, VAR could restore faith in local officiating and elevate the PSL to global standards. But the success of this project now hinges on who gets the contract — and how committed SAFA and government remain once the cameras are rolling

Source:SABC Sport

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