C Bryden: Cronje plots course on benefit voyage (17 Aug 1997)

August 17 1997

Treasure trove in sight as Cronje plots course on benefit voyage

by Colin Bryden

IT may not be worth quite what Ernie Els earns in one of his better weeks but Hansie Cronje's benefit year will take him into a new financial stratosphere for South African cricketers. The national team captain will earn well in excess of half a million rand tax free from a variety of activities which combine show business flair with an appeal to sporting sensibilities.

"It is the biggest benefit yet staged for a South African cricketer," says business manager Clifford Green, a Johannesburg lawyer. Events range from cricket matches and golf days to a cruise on an ocean liner and a pop concert.

"Hansie is very easy to market. He has a personality which appeals to everyone," says Green. "He is popular with blacks, whites, women, children. He is at ease talking to businessmen in their boardrooms or kids seeking autographs."

The fact that he is the current national captain at the height of his cricket career has helped Green and the benefit committee in their fund-raising efforts. He intends to donate a significant amount of the proceeds to the Nelson Mandela Childrens Fund and cricket development.

Cronje, 28 next month, is one of the youngest beneficiaries yet in a sport in which ten years of service to one province is regarded as a basic qualification. He started playing for Free State in 1987/88.

The benefit roadshow has not been entirely free of hiccups, with the Transvaal Cricket Board expressing reservations about Cronje staging events in their area. Although there is no current Transvaal beneficiary it was felt that cricketers should confine benefit activities to their own provinces as was the rule when benefits were first introduced in South African cricket during the 1980s.

"Transvaal was a problem," admits Green, "but it has now been agreed that he can stage one event in the area." It was to have been a Johnny Clegg concert last weekend. Perhaps fortuitously, Clegg's concert season in Europe was extended while Transvaal's objections were being resolved. Green now hopes that a Clegg concert can be arranged early next year.

Green says providing value for contributors has been a hallmark of benefit events. "For instance we put on a golf day at Sun City. People paid R1000 a head which included their golf, caddies, a dinner, entertainment and bed and breakfast at the Cascades hotel. It was a great deal and everyone who was there said it was fantastic value for money. Among the handouts for the golfers was a golf shirt which retails for R140."

Other golf days have been held in East London, Fish River and Centurion. There were horse racing days in Bloemfontein and Cape Town. The benefit was launched with a "night of the captains" dinner in Bloemfontein attended by all former national captains with the exception of Jackie McGlew, who was ill, and Kepler Wessels.

Still to come is a cruise off Durban on the liner Symphony from August 29 to September 1. Passengers will pay between R658 and R1656 for what is billed as a two-day party. Cronje, though, will doubtless be more circumspect than some of the revellers. After the liner berths in Durban he will fly to Cape Town to join the national squad for fitness testing followed by three weeks of cricket before the team departs for Pakistan on September 25, his birthday.

Included in the cricket programme are two limited overs benefit matches in Bloemfontein.

Cricketers are entitled to once-off tax-free benefit years in terms of a ruling negotiated by former SA Cricket Union president Joe Pamensky in the early 1980s. This in turn was based on the system used in England since 1927 when the House of Lords ruled in favour of cricketers.

Benefits were once regarded as a retirement fund for ageing players, Cronje is one of a new generation of beneficiaries. He could conceivably play for another decade. Last week he was confirmed as South African captain for the next year during which South Africa will play in 16 Tests. He already holds the record for most captaincies, having led the side in 21 Tests. At his current contracted rate of pay, Cronje's taxable earnings in the next 12 months, provided he plays in the maximum 16 Tests and 28 one-day internationals, will be R417 400. Bonuses could almost double this amount.

*Enquiries about the Symphony cruise (011) 807-5111.

Source: The Sunday Times