Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie has agreed to submit himself to an investigation following widespread calls for his removal over the use of racially offensive language during a recent live video and in past social media posts.
The controversy arose after resurfaced posts featuring the use of the K-word, a deeply derogatory term, prompted condemnation from opposition parties including the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), ActionSA, and the African Transformation Movement (ATM).
The ATM formally lodged complaints with the Presidency, Parliament, and the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Ethics and Members’ Interests.
In its submission, the ATM described the resurfaced tweets as containing “racially derogatory slurs” directed at Black South Africans, condemning the language as unacceptable and harmful to democratic values.
In response, McKenzie acknowledged that some of his earlier social media activity was offensive and hurtful, attributing those posts to a period when he engaged in provocative online behaviour.
He denied any racist intent and pointed to his personal background, including having a Black mother and children with a Black woman, as evidence of his commitment to equality.
The minister reiterated his lifelong fight for equal treatment between Black and Coloured communities, emphasising his stance against racism. He has committed to cooperating fully with the forthcoming investigation.
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