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Johannesburg - Despite the 2014 African Nations Championship (Chan) beginning on January 11, volunteers should not expect to be paid until February 14, said Local Organising Committee (LOC) CEO Mvuzo Mbebe.
“The earliest we'll be able to get money to volunteers is February 14, which is 14 days after the tournament ends,” Mbebe said in Johannesburg on Friday.
The organisation hoped to recruit 1500 volunteers to assist with the running of the tournament, which would be hosted in South Africa between January 11 and February 1 after it had been moved from Libya.
The volunteers would receive R200 per day to cover their daily costs.
During the Africa Cup of Nations tournament held earlier this year, volunteers went on strike before a quarterfinal match between Ghana and Cape Verde Islands, at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on February 2.
Their gripe was they had not received the R1000 promised to them for attending the five-day training period.
Mbebe said delays in payment were due to the procedures followed, and warned it would take at least two weeks to calculate individual payments.
“It's always a challenge for an organisation,” said Mbebe.
“The volunteers have to follow a sign-in/sign-out process in each of the various cities. We normally work it all out at the end of the tournament and it takes about a week or so.”
The participation of volunteers, however, was still key to the successful running of the tournament.
“Without a doubt, the volunteers play a vital role in the success of any mega event.
“Besides the important role they will be playing, we, as the LOC, are proud of the fact we will be providing an opportunity for 1500 Africans with skills development that can be used in their future endeavours.”
