Government can’t pay the Olympic Athletes bonuses, so South Africans are crowdfunding to raise the money for them!
Johannesburg, South Africa (10 August 2021) – In times of tragedy, always look for the helpers and in this case, in times when government fail us, just look to South Africans.
Social media was outraged after the news broke on Monday that SASCOC (South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee) would not be able to pay bonuses to any of our Olympic athletes for their medal wins, but less than 24 hours later, and South Africans are doing it themselves by collectively raising the money to gift these incredible athletes after their phenomenal wins.
SASCOC President Barry Hendricks confirmed to Eyewitness News on Monday that the organisation would not be issuing medal bonuses to Tatjana Schoenmaker and Bianca Buitendag. Hendricks said it was not for lack of trying.
“This does not mean Sascoc does not want to issue performance bonuses. In fact, as we speak, we are trying to negotiate with partners to try and assist us in this regard.”
Many South Africans called out SASCOC on social media on Monday, which led to Hendriks stating on Tuesday morning that the reports expressing that “the governing body would not be rewarding Tatjana Schoenmaker and Bianca Buitendag were wide off the mark”.
“The organisation is in negotiations with partners over the issue of financial rewards to medallists but the amounts had not been finalised because these negotiations were ongoing.”
But the outpouring of anger by South Africans had already started to create a wave of kindness across social media… which quickly led to real help in the form of a crowdfunding campaign launched by Carel Nolte, CMO of Easy Equities and Mike Sharman, founder of Matchkit.
Sharman tweeted that in “2016 Wayde van Niekerk earned R500,000 for winning gold and an extra R150,000 for breaking a World Record and Chad Le Clos earned R200,000 for a silver. By this standard, Tatjana Schoenmaker should be rewarded with at least R850,000 and Bianca Buitendag R200,000.”
Nolte saw the tweet and immediately pledged R10,000 while suggesting that other corporates jump on board to assist.
The tweet gained massive traction, leading Sharman to set up a Crowdfunding campaign on Matchkit with Bryan Habana to raise the much-needed funds.
Collectively – in just 30 minutes – over R30,000 has already been pledged on social media. And social media has been set alight with positivity for our athletes again. It seems that this is the good news story we all needed today.
If you would to support this incredibly kind cause, then click here.
Update: South Africans Raise R100,000 in 1 Hour To Gift Olympic Athletes!
by 
There’s a lesson to be learned here!
The correct and able crowd should take over the complete governing of South Africa!