Should Gayton McKenzie be fired over racism claims?
The X posts dating back to 2013 went viral, leading to growing calls from the EFF, DA, ActionSA, and the African Transformation Movement (ATM) for his removal as minister.
The EFF argued the ministry need to promote unity, inclusion and pride.
'It must lead outreach to the very communities McKenzie has called 'k***s'. Leaving him in office sends the message that the government condones such racism, provided it comes from a politically connected individual,' EFF spokesperson Sinawo Thambo said.
McKenzie has denied the claims.
'I never thought people would accuse me of racism,' he said.
'In my entire life, I've never called anybody the K-word. We are the victims. This is a political campaign driven by the EFF, together with influencers on X. Let them show me where I used the K-word referring to someone. They can't.'

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

IOL News
38 minutes ago
- IOL News
Moenie baiza nie, Meneer Minister — just apologise without reservations or qualifications
PA leader Gayton McKenzie has argued he "can never be guilty of racism", but apologised for using "insensitive, stupid and hurtful" language. After being in the news for the wrong reasons this week, Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie should from now on stop using the sign off "ons baiza nie". The bombastic businessman-politician has really flopped and blundered this time. He has failed to see and grab an opportunity to lead, to help move forward the healing and nation building project that currently needs a lot of assistance. Jy het gebaiza. For the uninitiated, the word "baiza" - or bhayiza in isiZulu spelling - means to flop, blunder or fail in Mzansi lingo. It's not, by the way, a gangster or gansta language, as some have described it. It was good of McKenzie to apologise for using insensitive and hurtful racial slurs that belong in our dark past, but he spoiled his apology with unnecessary defensiveness - something that he quickly needs to outgrow if he wants to continue leading society. A true leader who had outgrown his own dark past and ignorance and learned to care, show compassion and respect for all communities would have issued a proper and unreserved apology.

IOL News
41 minutes ago
- IOL News
ActionSA joins growing list of organisations pulling out of 'national dialogue'
Athol Trolip Image: PARLIAMENT RSA ACTIONSA has become the latest organisation to withdraw from participating in the National Dialogue, saying it will only send a delegation to 'exercise oversight' during this Friday's convention. 'ActionSA remains unconvinced that any of the concerns raised by key stakeholders, organisers and the broader public have been addressed. There is an insistence on forging ahead despite serious, unresolved questions, particularly regarding the lawful appropriation of the budget, a matter on which no parliamentary committee has been duly engaged. Consequently, ActionSA will not participate in or lend legitimacy to a process under these circumstances,' said the party's Parliamentary leader Athol Trolip. The first National Convention from August 15 to 16 is set to take place at UNISA's main campus in Pretoria. The road to the first convention has been marred by controversy with several legacy foundations withdrawing from taking part. The Thabo Mbeki Foundation, along with other prominent legacy foundations, including the Steve Biko Foundation, Desmond and Leah Tutu Foundation cited concerns over the rushed timeline, inadequate preparation, and shift towards government control as reasons for their withdrawal. "We feel the organisation of the matter was not entirely honest as to where the funds will be directed," Mbeki said. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading "This is due to our belief that core principles meant to underpin the whole National Dialogue have been violated in the rush to host a gathering on 15 August." In a joint statement, the foundations highlighted several issues, including a rushed timeline saying that the convention's constrained logistics have turned it into a performative milestone rather than a meaningful launch of a national process. The foundations also cited the absence of a confirmed, approved budget allocation and last-minute commitment of initial funds have made sound preparation impossible and deep disagreements exist within the Preparatory Task Team over the nature of the dialogue, readiness, governance, and risk. ActionSA expects its two member delegation made of MPs Dr Kgosi Letlape MP and Lerato Ngobeni MP to report back accordingly. 'We are reminded that the only reason we are confronted with this fraught National Dialogue is that all parties in the GNU committed to it through the signed statement of intent. Yet, these parties now refuse to take responsibility for the process or to exercise any oversight over its unfolding, leaving a void that demands scrutiny. ActionSA will therefore step in to safeguard the interests of South Africans and ensure proper oversight and accountability over every cent spent on this National Dialogue.,' said Trolip.


The Citizen
an hour ago
- The Citizen
Will DA suffer because of its B-BBEE stance?
While the DA might not lose support with its stance on B-BBEE, it's unlikely to gain votes either Despite suggestions that the DA will lose black voters because of its stance on broad-based black economic empowerment (B-BBEE), analysts believe this may not be the case. On Monday, the DA revealed its plan to reform South Africa's economy. Part of the plan is scrapping B-BBEE, the Employment Equity Act and the Expropriation Act. Will black voters support DA? The DA's stance on these laws led to speculation on whether it will continue to receive support from black voters. Political analyst Professor Ntsikelelo Breakfast believes that the party will not suffer huge blows because of their policy positions. 'There is nothing new in terms of their line of argument in line with their policies. My prediction is that their electoral performance will not be affected. 'But I am also not implying that they will have an upward trajectory, nor do I think that they will have a downward electoral trajectory. I think it will stay the same,' he said. He also said it is unlikely to lose more black party members. ALSO READ: Here's why B-BBEE should not be scrapped – and what needs to change Breakfast said the DA has been transparent on its position on race-based laws for decades. He said the party has rooted itself in not seeing colour as part of its tradition. 'There is nothing new with what the DA is saying. Those that have issues have left, I therefore cannot say there will be an exodus of black people in the party,' he said. Breakfast said even though some black people in the party have issues with the party's position of not seeing colour when it comes to crafting its policies, some chose to remain silent. 'There have been black people who have been content about the policy direction of the party. Many of those who constituted the black caucus of the party, like Mmusi Maimane, they left because of the policy direction,' he said. Discontent from black DA leaders Breakfast said some of those who are unhappy with the DA's view of not seeing race believe that the party is ignoring the social injustices of the past. He said those that remain in the party do so with full knowledge of what the party stands for. 'Those guys that remain, they will not question Helen Zille. You know what happens when you question. You are kicked out and sometimes there is propaganda machinery against you, your career dies a natural death on the spot, so the guys that are holding position, they will not question this B-BBEE thing because they know what happens,' he said. Following Mmusi Maimane's departure as party leader, the party has returned to its core constituency, according to Breakfast. 'Helen Zille thought that having Mmusi Maimane as party leader, they might take strategic advantage of the failures of the ANC. But Tony Leon then said this is a project gone wrong and that is when they said now let us go back to our core constituency,' he said. What is the problem with B-BBEE? Another political analyst, Theo Neethling, believes there is nothing wrong with the principle of B-BBEE. However, he said over the years implementation of this policy has led to problems. 'I think if it is well-defined, it won't be a problem. It should not lead to overboard enrichment of a few well-connected elites. 'Some entrepreneurs and well-connected politicians and those connected to certain parties or role players became stinky rich. 'So, if the DA can explain and clarify this well, I don't see a problem. It should never be about making millions and sheer material benefits but about empowerment of as many as possible,' he said. ALSO READ: Ramokgopa dismisses claims US tariffs target BEE policy but admits it needs 'tweaking' ANC hits back at DA Meanwhile the ANC has described the DA's comments on B-BBEE as an assault on transformation. 'The recently released 2023–2024 analysis of major B-BBEE transactions report confirms that B-BBEE continues to deliver measurable benefits to ordinary South Africans, workers, small enterprises, and communities, who were historically excluded from economic participation. 'Over the reporting period, companies invested R7.2 billion in enterprise development, enabling thousands of black-owned and managed small businesses and cooperatives to expand and thrive. 'Supplier development commitments reached R40.7 billion, giving black suppliers significant access to value chains across multiple industries,' said the party.