WHAT was meant to be a media briefing, turned out to be a mini political address.
Scores of Patriotic Alliance members turned-out in numbers to listen to their own, Gayton McKenzie, minisiter of Sport and Culture on Thursday, to report back on 100 days in office, at the John Kani Theatre- previosuly Market Theatre- Newtown, Jozi.
Notably, his friend and fellow comrade MMC for Transport in CoJ, Kenny Kunene was in attendance, in his Burberry signature sunglasses.
The minister was in pains to explain the controversial France trip that has made headlines recently. Talking point- R800 000.
“Look, i’m transparent and accountable. I did not spend budget that was not within the prescripts of the ministrial book. I’ve also made available the contents of the budget trip public and sharing the letter directed to acting Director General,”he said, who was seated next to him and deputy minister Peace Mabe.
I did not want five star hotel stays in Paris, continued the annoyed McKenzie.
“It seems EFF that has also threatened to take me to task are obssesed with my work, I say bring it on, I’m clean. Them labeling me such as deragotary “pantiti” – former jail-bird, won’t break me.”
I did not sleep on my job as some have alluded; it’s my duty to attend sporting events, as a minister,” also pointing out it was his very first trip as the minister.
The second issue was the South African Rugby Union, whom he pointed out decided to postpone the meeting of unions on the controversial commercial rights ownership by a US private company, on the proposed private equity deal with Ackerley Sports Group (ASG).
“I would have pushed for more, and it would seem Gvt is interfering in sport, which would not look good. Instead I requested SARU to postpone the Thursday’s meeting to a later stage, to appraise myself on this matter. SARU are the one who approached me on this issue. Yes, it’s a sensitive matter and at the end of the day, South African’s must be proud owners of the Boks commercial rights.”
The meeting with 14 provincial unions would vote and was expected to approve Seattle-based ASG’s purchase of a 20% share in Saru’s commercial division for R1.3bn ($75m), of which is way below market value.
On the success stories, the minister said in 2025, SA will be hosting a major motoring rally in Africa at Sun City and Limpopo, in May from 18 to 24.
Archie Rutherford, the CEO of the South African Rally-Raid Championship (SARRC), expressed his excitement about this achievement, he told this reporter exclusively.
“I look forward to a successful inaugural W2RC event in South Africa and welcoming international teams and supporters to the country’s beautiful landscapes, and this will show the world SA is capable and ready to host F1, of which the minister is fully behind,” concluded Rutherford,” whose World Rally-Raid Championship car-race was parked outside John Kani Theatre for exhibition.
On schools sport McKenzie said they’ve budgeted R69m for sport equipments, and will be working on ‘Project 300′ as part of helping youths in the country to attend any sport, from amateur level.
He also decried that museums are like ‘graveyards’ and changes will be implemented to make it conducive for everyone to visit, as ‘we transition into technology’.
In the EC there’s goig to be a major African three-day music, arts and fashion in 2025, he confirmed.
McKenzie also donated R1m to spinners in seven provinces, in his personal capacity, to help promote and market this sport, especially in neglected communities.
On VAR- he said we cannot lag behind and let the likes of Morocco who operate it, to beat us, yet we claim to be one of the best run football leagues in Africa. We’re engaging with SAFA on this, he said.
The repatriation of former struggles icon back home, is one of the special yet sad moment for me, he alluded.
He also promised to look into the issue of women in boxing, since BSA has now appointed well known administrator Tsholofelo Lejaka.
On the creative space, the minister also thanked Mme Helen Sibidi (82) who was in attendance for her sterling work.
On artists, he said ‘I’m not a minister of condolences’ thus “I’m engaging with various organisations within the creative sector to help them and chart way forward on how we can better the relationship”.
The famous National Arts of School was on the brink of shutting down, but the department intervened and its all system go, commented the minister, who during his address, a handful of artists were prevented from entering the venue as they chanted outside and security had to beefed up.
Image SLM (Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture -Gayton McKenzie, seated next to his deputy Peace Mabe, during 100 days in office media brief, held at Dr John Kani Theatre, Newtown on Thursday. NSA’s pupil gave a resounding performance).
