Gayton McKenzie
By Lerato Mpembe
Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie has hit back at accusations of racism levelled against him, claiming critics have dug back 13 years without finding any racist remarks from him, amid a storm sparked by his strong criticism of derogatory comments made about the coloured community on the Open Chats podcast.
The Patriotic Alliance leader, who has been one of the most outspoken figures condemning the podcast’s offensive statements, took to social media on Friday to defend his record. In a post on X, he wrote: “This whole campaign to find something racist I ever said is hilarious because you have now gone 13 years back and can’t bring out one racist thing I ever said. I always and still fight that Coloureds and Blacks are one people being treated differently mistakenly.” He further accused detractors of being more upset by the outrage from coloured people than by the original racism, adding: “You are more offended by our outrage as Coloured ppl against the vile racism that was directed at us, you find excuses for these young people who hurt a whole race. You are encouraging future racist instead of nipping this in the bud. We are not you.”
Podcast Remarks Ignite National Outrage
The controversy erupted after an episode of the Open Chats podcast, hosted by young black creators, where panellists made deeply derogatory claims about the coloured community. They alleged that coloured people commonly engage in incestuous relationships and suffer from mental derangement, statements that quickly went viral and drew widespread condemnation across South Africa. The remarks were seen as perpetuating harmful stereotypes rooted in apartheid-era divisions, exacerbating tensions in a country still healing from its divided past.
In response, the podcast hosts issued two public apologies, acknowledging the hurt caused and expressing regret for their words. However, many, including public figures and community leaders, dismissed these as insufficient. Farah Fortune, director of African Star Communications, rejected the apologies outright, calling them insincere and demanding more accountability for the damage inflicted on the coloured community’s dignity.
McKenzie, whose Patriotic Alliance party draws significant support from coloured voters in the Western Cape and Gauteng, was swift to react. He labelled the comments as “vile racism” and mobilised his party’s legal team to file a crimen injuria case against the hosts. The South African Human Rights Commission has since launched an investigation into the matter, examining whether the statements constitute hate speech under the country’s constitution. The PA refiled the charges at a Johannesburg police station after an initial filing, ensuring the case proceeds without procedural hitches.
The backlash extended to the podcast’s platform, with MultiChoice, owners of DStv, terminating its contract with Open Chats. The company distanced itself from the content, stating it does not condone racism or discrimination in any form. This move followed public pressure and came after McKenzie falsely accused the SABC of involvement in the podcast, a claim he later retracted with an apology to the public broadcaster.
McKenzie’s Past Remarks Resurface, Sparking Calls for Action
While McKenzie’s stance against the podcast won praise from some quarters, it also opened the floodgates for scrutiny of his own history. Social media users began sharing screenshots of his old posts, some dating back over a decade, which included the use of the K-word—a deeply offensive racial slur historically used against black South Africans. Critics argued these remarks exposed hypocrisy, labelling McKenzie as racist and unfit for his ministerial role in the Government of National Unity.
Former African Transformation Movement president and MP Vuyolwethu Zungula was among the most prominent voices demanding intervention. In a public statement, he urged President Cyril Ramaphosa to act, saying: “Mr President, you appointed a minister who has publicly uttered deeply offensive and despicable words against black people. Is this really the vision of unity and inclusivity that the GNU stands for? We demand action now!” Zungula’s call echoed broader concerns about whether McKenzie’s appointment aligns with the GNU’s goals of fostering reconciliation in a diverse nation.
Others joined the chorus, with online campaigns calling for McKenzie’s resignation or dismissal. They pointed to his past as a convicted criminal-turned-politician, including his time in prison for bank robbery, and argued that his inflammatory language undermines efforts to build a non-racial society. McKenzie, however, stood his ground, insisting his advocacy has always been for unity between coloured and black communities, whom he views as one people unfairly divided by historical injustices.
Neither McKenzie’s office nor the Presidency has responded to these specific demands for action, leaving the matter hanging amid growing public debate. Ramaphosa, who has been navigating his own political challenges, including recent responses to demands from former president Jacob Zuma, has emphasised unity within the GNU but has not addressed this issue directly.
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