Sports

R80 Million VAR Funding by Minister Gayton McKenzie Faces Parliamentary Scrutiny

Published

3 months ago

June 5, 2025

Chiraag

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R80 Million VAR Promise Raises Eyebrows in Parliament

When Minister Gayton McKenzie declared last year that his department would bankroll the rollout of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system in South African football, many fans cheered. After all, VAR is a global game-changer, promising fairness and fewer controversial decisions on the pitch. But fast forward to June 2025, and Parliament is now probing how this R80 million funding promise will actually work – and whether proper budgeting processes were followed.

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“Where’s the Money Coming From?” ANC’s Tough Questions

At a recent sitting of the Portfolio Committee on Sports, Arts, and Culture, ANC member David Kgabo didn’t hold back. He grilled the department on whether the hefty VAR commitment was planned through the usual transparent and accountable procedures.

The department’s Director General, Dr Cynthia Khumalo, lifted the veil a little – revealing that to free up the R80 million, they had to shuffle funds away from other big-ticket events, including the beloved Big Walk and the sports federation support program. This reprioritisation means some important activities were effectively put on hold to make way for VAR.

Behind the Scenes: The Budget Shuffle and Uncertain Costs

It turns out that while Minister McKenzie first announced the R80 million VAR boost after a high-profile meeting with the South African Football Association’s NEC in Gqeberha back in September last year, the actual figures are still more aspirational than final.

Simphiwe Mncube, the Chief Director of Winning Nation at DSAC, confirmed that VAR wasn’t in the original budget and no payments have been made to SAFA yet. Why? SAFA is still in the tendering process to figure out exactly how much the rollout will cost.

Dr. Khumalo clarified that although the department has earmarked a projected R80 million via budget reprioritisation, the exact amount will only be confirmed after SAFA’s proposals are evaluated. So, while the funding is “set aside,” the cheque hasn’t been written yet.

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Image 1: Olivier Le Moal (Pexels)

What This Means for South African Football and Fans

VAR’s promise to improve refereeing accuracy is exciting for many South African football supporters, especially after years of heated debates over refereeing decisions in the Premier Soccer League. But this unfolding budget drama reveals a classic tension: big ambitions meet tight public funds.

Reallocating money from popular events like the Big Walk shows the challenges government departments face juggling competing priorities. Meanwhile, the delay in finalising VAR costs hints at the complexities of rolling out such technology nationwide.

On social media, reactions are mixed. Some praise the move, seeing VAR as long overdue, while others question the transparency and worry about whether the funds could be better spent elsewhere – like grassroots football development.

A Cautious Optimism as Processes Continue

While Minister McKenzie’s vision is clear, this parliamentary scrutiny serves as an important reminder that ambitious sports projects need solid financial planning and accountability.

For now, South African football fans can look forward to VAR coming to the game they love – but with the understanding that the road from promise to pitch can be a winding one.