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The South African
44 minutes ago
- The South African
Gayton praises son's success: 'You grew up seeing me in jail'
Gayton McKenzie has heaped praise on his eldest son, Calvin Le John, who recently purchased SuperSport United, which he will rename Siwelele FC. The Minister of Sport has spoken about having eight children – from six women – including the advocate who helped him during his army robbery prison sentence. In an emotional Facebook post, Gayton McKenzie praised his eldest son, Calvin Le John, for his successful acquisition of SuperSport United. The 51-year-old shared how Calvin was born mere hours after he was convicted of armed robbery in 1996. He posted of his son: 'You grew up seeing me through jail bars. You never visited me on the weekends of the home games of Siwelele because you and your grandpa would go and watch the games religiously just like me and him when I was young. Gayton McKenzie has praised his son Calvin Le John for purchasing SuperSport United. Calvin plans to rename the club Siwelele FC. Images via X 'I remember you told me that it brings you closer to me emotionally. Knowing that you're doing the same thing I did with my father and your grandfather. Despite not having his father around, Gayton claims that Calvin Le John – who changed his last name – was a 'good kid with good intentions'. He continued: 'You suffered not growing up without your Dad. I thank God for a powerful mother who stood in the gap. You are the main reason why I behaved better. Because I wanted to come out and didn't wanna see you grow up through jail bars forever. After Gayton was freed and established his political party, the Patriotic Alliance, Calvin stepped up to take control of the family businesses. He has been at the helm, ever since. Of his decision to purchase the club, which they hope to bring to Bloemfontein, Gayton added: 'I agree fully with your purchase of SuperSport [United]. Because we both stood at the deathbed of my father and your grandad and we promised that we will always look after Siwelele. 'Siwelele is not a team, it's our Heritage, our culture, and part of our soul'. Gayton McKenzie has stayed mum about the identities of the six women who birthed his eight children, one of them being Calvin Le John. However, it is public knowledge that he wed lawyer, Nicolette Joubert, in 2003. This came after Nicolette was sent to investigate Gayton and others' allegations of corruption at the Grootvlei Prison involving prison gangs, warders, and inmates. The exposé became international news, and Gayton was named one of the 'Grootvlei Four.' The couple had two daughters together. A decade later, Gayton hinted that he had wronged his wife, whom he had since divorced. He tweeted: 'I hurt my ex-wife indescribably. But a bad word about me will never be heard by strangers or our kids, sheer class always.' Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 . Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp , Facebook , X, and Bluesky for the latest news.

TimesLIVE
4 hours ago
- TimesLIVE
Trump says tariff letters to 12 countries signed, going out Monday
US President Donald Trump said he had signed letters to 12 countries outlining the various tariff levels they would face on goods they export to the US, with the 'take it or leave it' offers to be sent out on Monday. Trump, speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One as he travelled to New Jersey, declined to name the countries involved, saying that would be made public on Monday. Trump had earlier on Thursday told reporters he expected a first batch of letters to go out on Friday, a national holiday in the US, though the date has now shifted. In a global trade war that has upended financial markets and set off a scramble among policymakers to guard their economies, Trump in April announced a 10% base tariff rate and additional amounts for most countries, some ranging as high as 50%. However, all but the 10% base rate were subsequently suspended for 90 days to allow more time for negotiations to secure deals. That period ends on July 9, though Trump early on Friday said the tariffs could be even higher — ranging up to 70% — with most set to go into effect August 1. 'I signed some letters and they'll go out on Monday, probably 12,' Trump said, when asked about his plans on the tariff front. 'Different amounts of money, different amounts of tariffs.' Trump and his top aides initially said they would launch negotiations with scores of countries on tariff rates, but the US president has soured on that process after repeated setbacks with major trading partners, including Japan and the EU. He touched on that briefly late on Friday, telling reporters: 'The letters are better ... much easier to send a letter.' He did not address his prediction that some broader trade agreements could be reached before the July 9 deadline. The shift in the White House's strategy reflects the challenges of completing trade agreements on everything from tariffs to non-tariff barriers such as bans on agricultural imports, and especially on an accelerated timeline. Most past trade agreements have taken years of negotiations to complete. The only trade agreements reached to date are with Britain, which reached a deal in May to keep a 10% rate and won preferential treatment for some sectors including autos and aircraft engines, and with Vietnam, cutting tariffs on many Vietnamese goods to 20% from his previously threatened 46%. Many US products would be allowed to enter Vietnam duty free. A deal expected with India has failed to materialise, and EU diplomats on Friday said they have failed to achieve a breakthrough in trade negotiations with the Trump administration, and may now seek to extend the status quo to avoid tariff hikes.

TimesLIVE
5 hours ago
- TimesLIVE
Trump says Iran has not agreed to inspections, give up enrichment
US President Donald Trump said on Friday that Iran had not agreed to inspections of its nuclear programme or to give up enriching uranium. He told reporters aboard Air Force One that he believed Tehran's nuclear programme had been set back permanently though Iran could restart it at a different location. Trump said he would discuss Iran with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu when he visits the White House on Monday. 'I would say it's set back permanently,' Trump said as he travelled to New Jersey after an Independence Day celebration at the White House. 'I would think they'd have to start at a different location. And if they did start, it would be a problem.' Trump said he would not allow Tehran to resume its nuclear programme, adding that Iran did want to meet him. The UN nuclear watchdog said on Friday it had pulled its last remaining inspectors from Iran as a standoff deepens over their return to the country's nuclear facilities bombed by the US and Israel. The US and Israel say Iran was enriching uranium to build nuclear weapons. Tehran insists its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes. Israel launched its first military strikes on Iran's nuclear sites in a 12-day war with the Islamic Republic three weeks ago. The International Atomic Energy Agency's inspectors have not been able to inspect Iran's facilities since then, even though IAEA chief Rafael Grossi has said that is his top priority. Iran's parliament has passed a law suspending co-operation with the IAEA until the safety of its nuclear facilities can be guaranteed. While the IAEA says Iran has not yet formally informed it of any suspension, it is unclear when the agency's inspectors will be able to return to Iran. Iran has accused the agency of effectively paving the way for the bombings by issuing a damning report on May 31 that led to a resolution by the IAEA's 35-nation Board of Governors declaring Iran in breach of its non-proliferation obligations. The US and Israeli military strikes either destroyed or badly damaged Iran's three uranium enrichment sites. But it was less clear what has happened to much of Iran's nine tonnes of enriched uranium, especially the more than 400kg enriched to up to 60% purity, a short step from weapons grade.