Safa to fork out R5-million for Bafana name

The South African Football Association (Safa) will pay R5-million for the trademark to the national team’s nickname, Bafana Bafana.

After an 18-year battle with Stanton Woodrush—which owns the Bafana Bafana trademark for apparel, headwear and footwear—Safa announced on Friday it would buy the full rights to the name.

Safa, which had considered changing the team’s nickname, said it would pay the R5-million fee over a 12-month period.

The national football governing body entered into a joint venture company in 2005 with Stanton Woodrush—which bought the Bafana Bafana trademark in 1993—called Safa Licensing and Management (Slam).

The football body owned 50.5% of Slam, which controlled the trademark, and Stanton Woodrush owner Wayne Smidt held the other 49.5%.

Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula had thrown his weight behind the idea to change the team’s nickname, a globally known trademark, rather than buy the rights.

Mbalula said the side needed a stronger name than Bafana Bafana, which means “the boys” in Zulu.

In March, Safa said a three-man panel—president Kirsten Nematandani, vice-president Danny Jordaan and Safa executive member Alpha Mchunu—would look in to a possible name change.—Sapa