Latest news with #CalvinLeJohn
The South African
a day ago
- Business
- The South African
Gayton on son's PSL club purchase: 'My family has the resources'
Minister of Sport, Art and Culture Gayton McKenzie has broken his silence on his son Calvin Le John's purchase of PSL soccer club, SuperSport United. The R50 million purchase, via a consortium, took place during a closed bidding process. Calvin, also a prominent businessman, dropped his father's last name in recent years. He plans to change its name to Siwelele FC and fill the void of the now-defunct Bloemfontein Celtic, which later became Royal AM. Speaking to eNCA's Percy Young, Gayton McKenzie addressed the contentious issue of his son Calvin Le John's purchase of SuperSport United. The Minister of Sport insisted that he was not involved in the closed bidding deal. He said: 'I'm at arm's length. But there are family members who dug into their pockets and got the team, they got SuperSport United. 'But there's no link to me, and there shouldn't be a link. 'My involvement was actively, publicly telling South Africans that I was going to make sure that Siwelele returns to the Free State. It's about to happen.' Gayton jokingly added: 'As a minister, when I get reshuffled, I will go look for a job there, as a mascot'. While Gayton McKenzie claims he was not involved in the SuperSport United deal, he does hope that the club will fill a void left by his favourite PSL club, Bloemfontein Celtic. He continued: 'The only time my family was together, and the only time my father hugged me, was when Celtic scored a goal. It's very emotional for my family. My son has taken over my family business, because as a minister, we're not allowed to have businesses. Gayton McKenzie's son has purchased PSL club SuperSport United. Images via X 'He was at the deathbed of my father, and the last thing he spoke about was Celtic. 'We can't sit here when my family has the resources…people in the Free State are suffering. That can never happen'. Last month, Gayton McKenzie, in his capacity as Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, vowed that Bloemfontein Celtic, under its nickname Siwelele, would return to the PSL. What he did not mention was his son's investment. He told reporters: 'I'm still meeting the people who will fulfill that promise. Siwelele or Phunya Sele Sele is coming back. I can promise. I can't make promises that I can't keep as a minister. I'm a politician. He added: 'They are on track, and I trust them absolutely because I know them.' 'I asked them if they were still on track with bringing Celtic back. They said they are 100% on track to bring Celtic back'. According to , Free State businessman Edward Modise owns the naming rights to Bloemfontein Celtic. 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.
The South African
a day ago
- Business
- The South African
Family business? Gayton McKenzie's son buys PSL club
Calvin Le John, the first-born son of Minister of Sport, Art and Culture Gayton McKenzie, is the new owner of PSL club SuperSport United – and South Africans are unsurprised at the 'convenience.' The news was announced by sports broadcaster Robert Marawa on the X platform. The club, which was reportedly sold for R50 million, will change its name to Siwelele FC. Its goal is to revive the glory days of the now-defunct Bloemfontein Celtics, which later became Royal AM. In an X post, Robert Marawa broke the news that SuperSport United had been sold to a new owner, Calvin Le John. The deal – which cost R50 million – took place through a closed bidding process. Interestingly, Calvin is the son of Minister of Sport Gayton McKenzie and reportedly changed his last name to avoid public scrutiny. Calvin now takes up the post of chairman of the PSL club. He wants to officially rebrand as Siwelele FC and fill a void that the now-defunct Bloemfontein Celtics left behind. Calvin Le John said in a statement: 'As Siwelele FC, we are privileged to have been given the responsibility of continuing with a rich winning tradition in the PSL. 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'. SuperSport United's new owner is the son of Minister of Sport, Gayton McKenzie. The R50 million closed bidding deal has sparked controversy. Image via Facebook. Marawa said of the deal – and Calvin's relation to the minister: 'Football holds a special place in his heart. Siwelele FC is not just a club – it's a promise to the people of Bloemfontein. Calvin is not doing this for attention. He's doing it for legacy.' News that SuperSport United's new owner, Calvin Le John, is the son of Gayton McKenzie did not come as much of a surprise to South African football fans. Some have even accused the minister of having a hand in the closed bidding deal. Gayton Mackenzie is the real Mafia!🤣 — YourServant (@ArnoModd) July 3, 2025 According to a profile of the new PSL club owner, Calvin Le John changed his name several years ago in the hopes of also becoming a hotshot businessman like his dad. The eldest son of Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, was entrusted with running the family's extensive business empire in the sectors of mining, transport, hospitality, entertainment, properties, and publishing. 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.
The Citizen
2 days ago
- Business
- The Citizen
SuperSport United confirm sale to Siwelele FC
'SuperSport International would like to confirm the sale of its Premier Soccer League (PSL) club, SuperSport United, to Siwelele Football Club (Pty) Ltd,' read the official statement. SuperSport United have officially confirmed the sale of their Premier Soccer League (PSL) status to Siwelele Football Club. SuperSport United have officially confirmed the sale of their Premier Soccer League (PSL) status to Siwelele Football Club, bringing an end to months of speculation surrounding the future of Matsatsantsa a Pitori. SuperSport statement Little is known about the buyers, but United released a statement on Thursday afternoon confirming that the transaction is subject to approval by the league's Executive Committee. ALSO READ: OPINION: The imminent demise of SuperSport is turning PSL into a mockery The former three-time Premiership champions will cease to exist, in what is a sad day for South African football. The club was originally established in 1994 after M-Net purchased the status of Pretoria City FC. 'SuperSport International would like to confirm the sale of its Premier Soccer League (PSL) club, SuperSport United, to Siwelele Football Club (Pty) Ltd,' read the official statement. 'Following a closed bidding process, Siwelele F.C. was awarded the rights to purchase the three-time Premiership winners, pending approval by the PSL Executive Committee.' SuperSport CEO Rendani Ramovha said the decision to sell the club forms part of a broader strategic shift for the broadcaster. '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,' he said. 'Shifts in the market, as well as the need to innovate in accordance with our core business, have necessitated a focused direction to ensure SuperSport remains the continent's premier sports content provider and a leader in broadcast innovation.' 'A rich, winning tradition' Both parties have stated they will not be making further comments until a final decision is made by the PSL. However, Siwelele F.C. chairman Calvin Le John expressed excitement at the opportunity to take over the Pretoria-based outfit. 'As Siwelele F.C., we are privileged to have been given the responsibility of continuing a rich, winning tradition in the PSL,' he said. 'SuperSport and the MultiChoice Group laid an incredible 30-year foundation that we hope to build upon, should we receive final approval from the PSL Executive Committee.' ALSO READ: Familiar face gets coaching job at cup-winning PSL side SuperSport will be remembered for winning the league for three successive years from 2007. They have also collected nine domestic cup competitions in their stint in South African topflight football, making them one of the most successful clubs in the PSL era.
