Gayton McKenzie’s football vision in motion as business associate buys SuperSport United

Minister of Sport Gayton McKenzie’s mission to revive top-flight football in the Free State has taken a major step forward — with his business associate, Calvin Lee John, confirmed as the man behind the pending purchase of SuperSport United through Siwelele Football Club (Pty) Ltd.

SuperSport International announced on Thursday that it had agreed to sell the Betway Premiership side to John’s company following a closed bidding process. 

The deal is now subject to approval by the PSL executive committee before it becomes official. The move brings McKenzie’s long-standing football ambitions closer to reality in his hometown of Bloemfontein.

McKenzie has previously spoken publicly about working with a consortium to bring back Bloemfontein Celtic and re-establish professional football in the Free State — a province widely regarded as one of the country’s true footballing hotbeds.

Now, with Siwelele FC poised to take ownership of SuperSport United, McKenzie’s influence behind the scenes appears to be paying off.

“As Siwelele F.C, we are privileged to have been given the responsibility of continuing with a rich winning tradition in the PSL,” said Calvin Lee John.

“SuperSport and the MultiChoice Group laid an incredible 30-year platform that we wish to build upon, should we get the final vote of approval from the PSL Executive Committee.”

John is expected to be unveiled as the new owner, if the PSL gives the green light — and speculation is already mounting that a relocation or rebranding could be on the cards to align with McKenzie’s goal of restoring Celtic’s legacy.

SuperSport United have enjoyed 30 years of stability under MultiChoice ownership, winning three league titles and producing some of South Africa’s top players, including Ronwen Williams and Kermit Erasmus. But the broadcaster has opted to shift focus.

“The sale of the club comes as SuperSport makes strategic shifts to allow us to remain the biggest broadcaster in Africa and a leading global competitor,” said SuperSport CEO Rendani Ramovha.

“Shifts in the market, as well as the need to innovate in accordance with our core business, have necessitated focused direction to allow SuperSport to remain the best sports content provider on the continent and a leader in broadcast innovation.”

The proposed takeover could represent one of the most significant changes in the modern PSL-era. 

If approved, it would mark the end of an era for Tshwane football and potentially signal a return of top-flight football to Bloemfontein under the iconic Siwelele identity.

All involved parties — including SuperSport, MultiChoice and Siwelele FC — have agreed to remain silent until the league’s internal approval process concludes.

Should the PSL executive committee approve the transaction, McKenzie’s football revival plan would take a major leap forward — backed by trusted business allies and a clear ambition to restore Free State football’s former glory.

Independent Media's attempts to reach McKenzie on Thursday, regarding the deal, were unsuccessful.