Mhlongo backs SAFPU pension plan for South African footballers

Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns legend Benson Mhlongo has welcomed plans by the South African Football Players Union (SAFPU) to establish a pension fund for professional footballers.

SAFPU is reportedly in the final stages of reaching an agreement with a corporate scheme that would give players access to pension benefits and greater financial security after their playing careers end, according to SABC Sport.

Mhlongo believes the proposal could address one of the major challenges facing footballers, whose careers are relatively short and who can struggle to adjust financially and professionally after retirement.

“It’s a wonderful initiative, it’s a wonderful thing for footballers. As you can remember, the most you can work for is about 15 years and some of the footballers the only thing they know is football. For years, SAPFU have been looking for this, it was difficult because of the numbers of years we work,” Mhlongo told KickOff.

He said a successful scheme would provide former players with support once they could no longer earn an income from football.

“So it would be a milestone achievement, if it can be done and a wonderful thing for footballers to have something after their playing days to survive. The government is giving grants to ladies who have children, so it would be nice to look after our heroes who make the beautiful game,” he added.

Under standard employment arrangements, pension benefits are usually accessed at retirement age, generally between 60 and 65. Professional footballers, however, may spend only 15 to 20 years in active competition, raising concerns about whether the proposed fund would provide enough long-term assistance.

Mhlongo said the immediate priority should be to launch the initiative, rather than delay it while trying to guarantee that every detail is sufficient from the outset.

“Look, for me it’s not about being enough. For me it’s about starting the process. Everything you learn on it, the feedback would make the scheme to improve. What is important is for it to start, so that ways can be found on how to do it,” he said when asked about the issue.

He argued that the scheme could only be assessed and strengthened once it had been introduced.

“But if we don’t have it on the table we can’t improve or correct some other things. For it to happen, it’s a milestone on it’s own. Even football when it started, there was no money but now look, it has developed, today we’re talking about good money.

“So everything has a starting point. The most important thing is for it to exist,” the former Bafana Bafana defender said.