The recently appointed minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, has made significant changes by discontinuing certain benefits for popular sports fans.
McKenzie was recently named a Sports minister in the multi-party government that was announced by the president Cyril Ramaphosa.
The 50-year-old is the leader of Patriotic Alliance (PA) and is known for being a prolific tweeter.
Since being appointed as the minister, he has articulated multiple viewpoints concerning the domain he currently oversees.
Limiting sponsored trips for high-profile supporters like Mama Joy Chauke, Botha Msila, and Saddam Maake during tournaments is one of the first movements he’s taken.
SA NEW SPORTS MINISTER MAKES DECISION ON SPONSORED TRIPS FOR FANS
“I have stopped all trips for super fans, we have athletes & artist who are struggling to raise money to attend sporting events and exhibitions, how do we justify paying for fans? We shall no longer be paying for these trips and will use that money where it’s needed the most,” McKenzie posted on X (formerly known as Twitter).
McKenzie proposes reallocating the funds currently used for “super fan” trips to support athletes or artists struggling to afford attending sporting events or exhibitions.
The minister's decision sparked divided opinion on social media, with some welcoming it and others criticizing it.
The aforementioned fans have previously seen their trips to tournaments like AFCON, WAFCON and Rugby World Cup Cups funded by government in the recent years.
SPORTS MINISTER’S PROMISE TO SOUTH AFRICAN SPORTS FANATICS
Meanwhile, McKenzie who initially wanted to be a minister of Home Affairs or Police, promised that he would do his utmost to deliver.
“Many people will not understand. We wanted Home Affairs or Police Ministry, but the true followers will know we also wanted Sports. I told the ANC ( African National Congress) about sports off the record during the negotiations,” said McKenzie as quoted by The Citizen.
“I’m a sports person. I love sports, I follow sports.
“I’m passionate about sports and I also know about the discrimination against poor people with indigenous sports – people in the villages.
“I have contacts in the world when it comes to sport. I believe a child in sports is a child out of court. We will listen to your ideas and you will see the difference we will make. You have to be part of the difference.”
