The controversy surrounding Gayton McKenzie: Racial slurs and political accountability

Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie has come under intense scrutiny following his use of a racial slur during a live video, which has reignited longstanding debates about race, language, and accountability in South Africa’s political landscape.

McKenzie sparked outrage during a live video when he used the K-word,a racial slur, while responding to racist remarks made by the hosts of the Open Chats Podcast. His comments were made as he discussed actions taken by the Patriotic Alliance against the podcast hosts.

Resurfacing of Old Social Media Posts

Following the backlash over the live video, McKenzie’s posts dating back from 2011 and 2013 were uncovered. These tweets contained apartheid-era racial slurs directed at black South Africans, and he criticised the term ‘Black Diamond’ while using racially charged language widely considered reprehensible in South Africa.

African Transformation Movement (ATM) complaint

The ATM filed formal complaints with the Presidency, Parliament, and the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Ethics and Members’ Interests. ATM Parliamentary leader Vuyo Zungula described the tweets as “racially derogatory slurs” that undermine democratic principles.

Zungula added that the language “employs language steeped in historical racism, the same kind of degrading rhetoric used to strip black people of their humanity during apartheid and colonial eras.”

The party demanded an urgent investigation and called for McKenzie’s removal, arguing that “an unrepentant Minister cannot credibly lead a department tasked with building cultural bridges and fostering unity.”

ActionSA reports to the South African Human Rights Commission 

ActionSA also lodged a complaint with the SAHRC over McKenzie’s live video remarks and the resurfaced tweets.

ActionSA Member of Parliament Alan Beesley emphasised the party’s commitment to combating racism, stating: “We are confronting racism in all its forms by holding a sitting Cabinet Minister accountable for comments that no reasonable person can defend as anything other than racist and demeaning.”

He warned that if necessary, the matter would be escalated to the Equality Court under the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act.

McKenzie’s initial response

McKenzie denied being racist, claiming the controversy was a politically motivated campaign orchestrated by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and social media influencers. He admitted to the offensive posts but said they were written in response to racist remarks from others and expressed embarrassment over them.

He said, “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.”

EFF joins calls for removal

The Economic Freedom Fighters added their voice to calls from ATM and ActionSA, demanding McKenzie’s immediate removal from his ministerial position.

McKenzie agrees to investigation

McKenzie announced he would submit himself to an investigation.  He said, “I can never be guilty of racism, try some other take down but never racism.”

He acknowledged tweeting “some insensitive, stupid and hurtful things a decade or two ago,” adding, “ I was a troll [and] stupid. I cringe when seeing them and I am truly sorry for that.

He denied any racist intent, citing his  background: “My mother was black and I have children with a black woman. I fought my whole life for the same treatment between black and Coloured people because we fought the same struggle.''

While McKenzie said he is “truly sorry” for the comments made years ago, a formal apology has not yet been issued.

hope.ntanzi@iol.co.za 

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