Latest news with #GaytonMcKenzie
IOL News
10 hours ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Gayton's new man, but who really is Liam Jacobs?
The Patriotic Alliance (PA) President, Gayton McKenzie, announced the appointment of rising star Liam Jacobs to replace the suspended Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Transport, Kenny Kunene. Image: Supplied Liam Jacobs, at just 24 years old, is quickly becoming a notable figure in South African politics. Recently recommended by Patriotic Alliance (PA) president Gayton McKenzie to replace Kenny Kunene as the Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Transport in Johannesburg, Jacobs is on the verge of stepping into a prominent leadership role in one of the country's largest cities. Born in 2001 in Kimberley, Northern Cape, Jacobs showed an early interest in politics and community service. He pursued his studies at the University of Pretoria, where he completed an honours degree in Politics, Economics, and Philosophy. His academic background reflects a strong foundation in understanding governance, economic issues, and philosophical questions about society and leadership. Jacobs began his political journey through student activism, eventually becoming the Federal Leader of the Democratic Alliance Student Organisation (DASO) in October 2022. In this role, he was recognised for championing inclusivity and pushing for greater youth representation in political decision-making. His leadership in DASO positioned him as a rising star within the Democratic Alliance (DA), South Africa's official opposition party. Following the 2024 general elections, Jacobs was elected as a Member of Parliament for the DA, serving on the Portfolio Committee on Sports, Arts, and Culture. Despite this promising start, Jacobs became disillusioned with the DA. 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 He publicly expressed feeling used and frustrated by the party's internal politics and dynamics. In June 2025, he announced his departure from the DA, declaring his move to the Patriotic Alliance with the words, 'I am finally home.' The PA, under the leadership of Gayton McKenzie, has been growing in influence, particularly in urban centres like Johannesburg. McKenzie welcomed Jacobs warmly, highlighting his leadership potential and commitment. Following Jacobs' defection, McKenzie recommended him to Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero to fill the MMC for Transport position, a critical role responsible for managing and improving the city's transport infrastructure. McKenzie expressed confidence in Jacobs, stating, 'This is your chance now to show people that you can lead. You have shown people your heart. Do not disappoint them.' Jacobs' appointment is still pending, as Mayor Morero consults with coalition partners before filling the vacant mayoral committee positions of transport and finance. Beyond politics, Jacobs has demonstrated a strong commitment to community activism. In late 2023, during a severe water crisis in Kimberley, he filed a formal complaint with the South African Human Rights Commission, advocating for improved access to clean water for residents. This action reflected his dedication to addressing pressing social issues and holding authorities accountable. If appointed MMC for Transport, Jacobs will face significant challenges. Johannesburg struggles with issues such as deteriorating roads, traffic congestion, and public transport inefficiencies. Addressing these problems will require strong leadership, innovative thinking, and effective coordination with various stakeholders. For a young politician who has already experienced the complexities and challenges of South African party politics, this new role offers an opportunity to demonstrate his capability and commitment to public service. As he prepares to take on this responsibility, many will be watching to see if Liam Jacobs can translate his passion and energy into tangible improvements for Johannesburg's residents. Would you like me to help draft statements or interviews from Jacobs or others for this story?
The South African
15 hours ago
- Business
- The South African
Parliament register: Gayton McKenzie declares R6 000 teacup, R38 000 cellphone among gifts
Parliament this week made public its 2025 Register of Members' Financial Interests, revealing details of the personal financial holdings and external activities of current South African Members of Parliament (MPs). RELATED | Parliament's register: Here's what Julius Malema declared MPs are required by law to declare a comprehensive range of financial and non-financial interests, including: Shares and equity holdings in public and private companies in public and private companies Remunerated roles – such as directorships, partnerships, consultancies, and retainerships – such as directorships, partnerships, consultancies, and retainerships Outside employment or contractual work outside parliamentary duties or contractual work outside parliamentary duties Sponsorships , gifts , hospitality , and interest-free loans , , , and Official and private travel Property holdings , including rental income-generating assets, land ownership, and trusts , including rental income-generating assets, land ownership, and trusts Pension contributions or entitlements These disclosures are intended to promote transparency, manage conflicts of interest, and uphold public trust in parliamentary governance. RELATED | Paul Mashatile's R28.9 million Constantia home raises eyebrows The register aims to: Allow the public to scrutinise whether MPs' outside interests may conflict with legislative responsibilities whether MPs' outside interests may conflict with legislative responsibilities Ensure that policy interventions and votes are not influenced by personal financial gain Promote openness and accountability within public representatives While the register is publicly available, parliamentary ethics oversight bodies will review declarations for potential misalignment with MPs' official duties. Allegations of undeclared interests could lead to sanctions or formal inquiries. The full register is accessible on Parliament's official website and through designated public access terminals in parliamentary precincts. Citizens, journalists, and civil society groups can obtain copies for transparency and research purposes. With the register now available, stakeholders across the spectrum – from watchdog organisations to everyday citizens – can track whether MPs' personal economic activities may be influencing public policy decisions. It is a key tool in South Africa's efforts to build institutional integrity and political accountability. In fact, there are 13 different categories. The register is extensive and broken down per political party . By way of an example, let's take a closer look at what Patriotic Alliance (PA) leader and Minister of Sports Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, declared. Gayton McKenzie is one of 10 PA MPs to feature on the register. It couldn't have taken McKenzie long to fill in the form as he didn't declare anything regarding his extensive overseas travel, and only did declare three gifts and one residential property. According to the register, McKenzie has 'nothing to disclose' under the categories of shares and other financial interests, remunerated work outside Parliament, consultancies, sponsorships, free loans, travel, pensions, income-generating assets, rented property, and trusts. This suggests that McKenzie currently draws no outside income beyond his parliamentary remuneration and holds no active shares or formal business roles that generate income. Nothing to disclose Nothing to disclose Nothing to disclose Nothing to disclose Nothing to disclose Description Value Source HONOR MAGIC V2 Device R37 999 HONOR Device Co. Ltd, Shenzhen China Teacup and saucer R6 093 Russian Cultural Ministry Framed Artwork 99.9% foiled gold To be appraised India Cultural Minister in Brazil Nothing to disclose Nothing to disclose Description of property Area where property is located Size of the property in square metres Residential Kraaifontein, Cape Town 1 487 square metres Nothing to declare Nothing to declare Nothing to declare Nothing to declare Declaring such interests enhances transparency and strengthens public trust and confidence in parliamentary processes and decision-making. Last Friday, the Joint Committee on Ethics and Members' Interests adopted the 2025 Register of Members' Interests per item 12 of the Code of Ethical Conduct and Disclosure of Members' Interests for National Assembly and Permanent Council Members. The 2025 register is the second of the seventh Parliament following the 2024 General Elections. 'As per convention following the adoption, the committee resolved to release the register to enable access to the public section of the register. The new code adopted by the sixth Parliament established the submission of interests using the prescribed electronic form, which is aimed at streamlining declarations and making the process seamless and quick. 'The adoption of the electronic declaration submission form was a strategic decision in line with the move to ensure a paperless Parliament. Also, to ensure seamless submission, the office of the Registrar availed staff to support and assist Members of Parliament with their online submissions,' Parliament said. Item 12 (7) of the Code is clear that a Member must disclose his/her registrable interests in the first quarter of the financial year. 'The code promotes a culture of openness and accountability, and the release of the register is a bold step in building public trust and confidence. Furthermore, by ensuring accountability of public representatives, the release ensures credibility of the oversight work over the executive,' Parliament said. As per item 12 (1) of the Code, the Register consists of both a public and confidential section. The public section of the register is now available to be perused by the public to ensure accountability. 'The Joint Committee on Ethics and Members' Interests further communicates that the 2025 disclosure process had a 100% compliance by the due date of all Members of Parliament. No Member of Parliament submitted late. The committee commends this milestone.' The full public section of the register can be accessed here: A full report will be published in the Parliament's Announcements, Tabling's and Committee Reports. 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.
IOL News
21 hours ago
- Business
- IOL News
Gayton McKenzie declares R38,000 cellphone and R6,000 teacup among gifts
Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie June 2025 declaration shows no active shares or business roles, lists numerous de-registered companies, a residential property in Cape Town, and several high-value gifts from international sources. Image: File Patriotic Alliance leader and Member of Parliament Gayton McKenzie has made his latest financial disclosures public through the June 2025 Register of Members' Interests, revealing a detailed account of his assets, former business involvements, and recent gifts received from international entities. According to the register, McKenzie has 'nothing to disclose' under the categories of shares and other financial interests, remunerated work outside Parliament, consultancies, sponsorships, free loans, travel, pensions, income-generating assets, rented property, and trusts. This suggests that McKenzie currently draws no outside income beyond his parliamentary remuneration and holds no active shares or formal business roles that generate income. However, a significant portion of the declaration is dedicated to listing McKenzie's former directorships and partnerships, the vast majority of which are now de-registered. These companies include Amatenda 523, Lexshell 138, Raystar Productions, Gas Afrique, Afrobrew Beverages, G Gas, Dirbyn Utilities, Gayton McKenzie, African Australian Minerals and Energy, Dirbyn Investment Holdings, Dartingo Trading 213, Taboo Trading 189, Megafone Telecoms, Halowiz Investments, Zar Productions, Dream Weaver Trading 445, Dirbyn Publications, Gayton McKenzie Distributions, Tobiwill, Talirex, Nso What Trading, Nu Money Records, Black Solar, Damash Minerals, Portkey SA, Hustlers Empire, and Science Fixing. These companies spanned diverse sectors such as general trading, film and television, mining and exploration, investments, microbrewery, ICT, logistics, and health and wellness. Although all these companies are noted as de-registered, the register highlights the extent of McKenzie's historical involvement in entrepreneurship and business. For example, his business interests once covered industries from media and entertainment, like Raystar Productions and Zar Productions, to mining consultancies such as Science Fixing, and from investments with Halowiz Investments to beverage production through Afrobrew Beverages. Despite not actively holding any business roles at present, McKenzie received several high-value gifts. Notably, he was given an Honor Magic V2 device valued at R37,999.00 from Honor Device Co. Ltd of Shenzhen, China. He also received a teacup and saucer worth R6,093.00 from the Russian Cultural Ministry, and a framed artwork containing 99.9% foiled gold, which is still to be appraised, from the Indian Cultural Ministry in Brazil. McKenzie's only disclosed immovable asset is a residential property in Kraaifontein, Cape Town, situated in the Western Cape. The property measures 1,487 square meters and is the only real estate asset listed in his name in the register. The transparency shown in this declaration comes against the backdrop of McKenzie's well-documented remarks about his wealth. Mckenzie has frequently addressed his financial independence in public forums and media interviews, often asserting that he is one of the few politicians who "doesn't need government money" and can "afford to speak freely because I'm not reliant on tenders." 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 In April 2023, McKenzie publicly addressed rumours about external funding for his party, stating, 'I have my own money,'' according to Timeslive. Furthermore, in his resignation letter as mayor of the Central Karoo Municipality in 2023, McKenzie stressed his commitment to self-funding his political roles. 'I never had to use a cent from this municipality throughout my term. I took no salary and no perks whatsoever. I paid for my own bodyguards, travel and accommodation at all times. I donated my salary to the community.' McKenzie has also publicly declared that he is not in politics for money, but to make a difference in people's lives. 'One hundred per cent of my salary I'm giving it to the Joshlin Smith Foundation for missing children for the duration of my stay in Parliament, 100% of my salary not 80% or 50%... Because I'm not here for money, I'm here to change the lives of our people.' In March 2025, McKenzie announced he would put up a R1 million reward for the safe return of missing six-year-old Saldanha Bay girl Joshlin Smith. 'This child has become the conscience of our nation. This is a rainbow child. I am taking R1 million of my own money that I could have put into my political campaign. I will have a million rand less for posters, I will have a million rand less for t-shirts, I will have a million rand less of diesel for my campaign but for me, what is bigger than politics is finding that green-eyed girl,' he said at the time. McKenzie has also demonstrated personal generosity outside of politics, offering direct help to struggling individuals. In one instance, he assured actress Nandi Nyembe, 'This is not the ministry, this is with my heart, this is from me, mama.' Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. IOL Politics
TimesLIVE
a day ago
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Sascoc, federations form task team over McKenzie's big funding cuts
National federations have formed a strategic task team to engage sport minister Gayton McKenzie and his department after heavy funding cuts, the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc) said on Tuesday. Sports have been hit by budget cuts totalling about R40m this year which have seen cuts in government funding of up to 60% for codes such as athletics and swimming, while Sascoc and a few others received nothing. Sascoc described the cuts as an 'unfolding financial crisis that will derail the upward performance trajectory of all the [South African] teams and individual athletes'. It and the national federations held an emergency meeting last week.
The South African
2 days ago
- Politics
- The South African
Gayton likens himself to Malema: 'We're both bank robbers'
Gayton McKenzie has compared his criminal past as an armed bank robber to that of Economic Freedom Fighter (EFF) leader, Julius Malema. The Patriotic Alliance leader, who is also the Minister of Sport, Art and Culture, shared his comments in a recent Facebook Live. In it, he also announced that his protege, Liam Jacobs, would replace Kenny Kunene as Gauteng MMC for transport. In a Facebook Live on Monday, 28 July, Gayton McKenzie took aim at EFF leader, Julius Malema. He said, 'Do you know what Malema and I have in common? We are both bank robbers. He was VBS. We are ex-criminal colleagues. I used to rob banks…he is robbing banks too.' The minister is referring to allegations that Malema and his then-colleague Floyd Shivambu defrauded the now-defunct VBS Bank of millions for their own luxury lifestyle. Gayton accused Malema of not being transparent about his finances. 'We stay in expensive suburbs. How do you afford this on [your] salary? You're a stupid thing. You live a billionaire lifestyle, but you can't prove how do you get your money?', he continued. The PA leader also took cheap shots at the EFF. He said, 'The EFF is in the ICU. They're waiting for the day the machine is shut off. There is no politics; there is just gossip. That leader, Malema, is like an old auntie who just gossips. He doesn't talk about his party, his policies, or what they're going to do.' In 1996, Gayton McKenzie was sentenced to 17 years' imprisonment for armed robberies. In 2003, he was released from Grootvlei prison after exposing a criminal syndicate. He told EWN of his criminal past: 'I robbed my first bank just before I turned 16. Then I was a fully-fledged gangster. I was one of the most wanted guys. 'I already knew that I would be a criminal at the age of 8; that was my choice, and that's how I got involved.' Together with pal Kenny Kunene, whom he met in prison, the pair started several businesses in the mining, entertainment, and property industries. The friends officially founded the Patriotic Alliance in 2013. Last year, Gayton was elected Minister of Sport, Art, and Culture after his party joined the Government of National Unity. Gayton McKenzie is a former convicted armed robber. Images via Facebook; 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.
