Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie has refused to apologise for offensive social media posts, including the use of racial slurs, despite being given until Wednesday, 20 August 2025, to respond to the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC).
Gayton McKenzie denies racism allegations
The commission is investigating McKenzie for possible hate speech and xenophobia over comments made on X (formerly Twitter), some of which date back to 2011.
Hate speech in South Africa refers to words or behaviour that spread hatred or encourage harm against people based on race, ethnicity, gender, or nationality. It is a serious offence that can lead to action in the Equality Court or even criminal charges.
According to the SAHRC, part of the case involves resurfaced posts where McKenzie allegedly used the K-word. This term was used during apartheid to insult and degrade black South Africans and is considered one of the most offensive racial slurs in the country.
The Equality Court has the power to impose penalties, order public apologies, or require offenders to undergo training on equality and sensitivity.
Political parties including ActionSA, the EFF, and the ATM have called for McKenzie’s removal from Cabinet, saying the posts amount to racism and hatred.
McKenzie’s defence: “I will not apologise”
Speaking during a live broadcast on Monday evening, McKenzie said he has done nothing wrong and will not apologise.
“Not because I’m arrogant. Because I’m not a racist. I’ve not said racist things. Just know that I’m not going to apologise because I didn’t say racist things,” he said.
He added that critics were misrepresenting his words, claiming that many of his older posts were taken out of context and were, in fact, meant to fight against racism.
“I will defend myself. I will go up to the Constitutional Court so that everything they said, I said, we can prove,” McKenzie insisted.
McKenzie argued that the investigation is part of a broader attempt to discredit him politically.
“It’s very obvious people are intimidated by me. This is an operation. How do you go back 15 years? That makes me happy. They can’t find anything in my present. They have to go to the past,” he said.
He also denied threatening President Cyril Ramaphosa, saying instead that he has deep respect for the president and will remain loyal to him even if he is removed from Cabinet.
ActionSA lodged the complaint with the SAHRC and has hinted at taking the matter to the Equality Court. The resurfaced tweets, which include racial slurs, have drawn sharp criticism from opposition parties, with some describing the remarks as “hateful slurs” and “deeply offensive.”
McKenzie has also faced accusations of xenophobia, but he rejected those claims.
“Now they’re putting in xenophobia. It went from racism. It’s no longer that. Because they know. We’ve got our facts,” he said.
McKenzie has until Wednesday, 20 August 2025, to submit his response to the SAHRC. If the commission finds that his past comments amount to hate speech, the matter could be referred to the Equality Court, where he could face penalties or orders to apologise.
Despite the growing backlash, McKenzie said he remains committed to his role as minister and vowed to continue his work.
“They will not scare me. At the end of the day, I will come out victorious,” he said.