While the country is now steeped in debate if we have selected the best possible president, the unions will be strategising the next possible move for their constituents with regards to salaries, worker's rights and working conditions.
As the season draws to a close, we have players that will be negotiating contracts, some will retire and young players will be hoping to find a way to make it into the big leagues. Then we have those players that lead us to question their sanity or arrogance, allegedly kidnapping themselves to spend quality time with their mistresses.
Many will say these are the issues that need to be dealt with by the players agents or clubs, yet the role of the players union is somewhat hidden in the background.
The South African Football Players Union (SAFPU) is associated to Safa, the PSL and FIFPRO. There is a membership fee that is required to be a member of the organisation and like unions everywhere their role is to look after the interests of players through contract negotiations, dispute resolutions and providing them with a platform that educates them for life, not just in football, but beyond.
However the feeling of many professionals and former pros, is that they have become inactive beyond the odd task. Whether this is real or just perceived due to a lack of knowledge is dependent on who you talk to, and I've spoken to a number of players on the subject in South Africa.
This is in contrast to the English PFA which has an established presence in activities and duties as well as digitally and through publications for all relevant stakeholders including the public. Much like the players unions everywhere, the PFA is instrumental in providing negotiation tools and also services when it comes to contracts.
They get involved in protecting the rights of their members in areas of dispute and have founded numerous initiatives for education for youth, current players and retired members. They go on to provide scholarships and bursaries to their members, subject to very strict criteria.
Courses focus on academics as well as technical studies. Former Liverpool player Neil Mellor was a benefactor of such a system. After his retirement through injury he has been found working in the offices of the PFA in the Player Department after completing his studies through assistance and guidance of the PFA.
They also provide life-skills training and counselling initiatives for members that need it for everything from health, wellness, finance, living with HIV/Aids, addictions, depression and abuse.
Perhaps our players who tend to disappear, claim kidnapping and are suffering from burnout would benefit from such services. Looking at our history of players living a hard life and ending careers only to live in poverty, one would imagine this is a service that is compulsory, yet we hear of organisations such as Footballers4Life that have sprouted up in order to fill this need.
The relationship between all stakeholders and the PFA ensure that CSR initiatives are carried out by players and the clubs. In fact they are committed to doing something for their communities. We are fortunate that our clubs have recognised this need and have taken this step themselves.
Players in South Africa need to start learning about their rights. They need to start taking the initiative and stepping up where there are gaps. Perhaps it is their own lack of insight that has led to the mediocrity of SAFPU.
The PFA, players, leagues, clubs and the FA all recognise the need of an evolving industry and the influence that changes have on people within it. Can the same be said for the SAFPU? Should SAFPU follow the models presented by the PFA and similar organisations?
Is it a lack of financial support that serves as a constraint or is it simply like the rest of our political arms that SAFPU is just reflecting our society and that there is an incentive to talk, yet delivery is not a priority that has taken root?
Or maybe it’s the last option, that they are merely misunderstood?
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