Latest news with #OpenChatsPodcast
The South African
2 hours ago
- Politics
- The South African
Gayton's K-word, racist tweets go viral – Call for Minister to RESIGN
Will Gayton McKenzie resign as minister over his K-word old tweets? Images via X/Pexels South Africans are not only demanding an apology, but are calling for Gayton McKenzie to resign as Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture over his old social media post, which includes the K-word. ADVERTISEMENT This comes as the Patriotic Alliance leader called for the hosts of the Open Chats Podcast to be cancelled over their comments about the coloured community. The Minister has since addressed his old posts, stating that the backlash was 'hilarious'. On the X app (formerly Twitter), Gayton McKenzie's old, racially-charged posts about black people have resurfaced. In them, the Patriotic Alliance leader, and now Minister of Sport, Art and Culture, implied that all black people were poor and uneducated. He also repeatedly called them the K-word. ADVERTISEMENT A viral clip also saw Gayton being interviewed on the SABC's Morning Live, where he alluded to black people being 'lazy'. In another clip, Gayton criticised the government for offering a state funeral to the late artist Mampintsha, Mandla Maphumulo, after reportedly declining to assist the family of the late AKA, real name Kiernan Forbes. CALLS TO CANCEL OPEN CHATS PODCAST PRESENTERS This week, Gayton McKenzie called out Open Chats Podcast co-hosts Mthokozisi Donald and Sino Kama and their two female guests. Shortly after DStv shared news that they had dropped the show from their programming, the minister hinted at the presenters being cancelled over their comments. ADVERTISEMENT He posted: 'No one wants to see young people destroyed. It is, however, a teachable moment for these young people and their peers that racism has no place in South Africa; to let them continue as if nothing happened is the surest way of destroying them. He added, 'Consequence is a great teacher.' Gayton McKenzie has been criticised over his comments condemning the presenters of Open Chats Podcast. Images via X A day earlier, Gayton instructed PA MP Liam Jacobs to open a case of hate speech and crimen injuria against the Open Chats Podcast hosts. He said in a Facebook Live: 'We are giving you seven days to cancel that show. You are going to learn. This is where we draw the line'. ADVERTISEMENT WILL MINISTER STEP DOWN? On the X app, South Africans branded Gayton McKenzie a 'hypocrite' over his past comments and demanded a formal apology. Many called on the Minister of Sport, Art and Culture to step down from his post over his racial slurs. However, it appears Gayton is unwilling to apologise or tender his resignation. He posted amid the backlash: 'This whole campaign to find something racist I ever said is hilarious. Because you have now gone 13 years back and can't bring out one racist thing I ever said. ADVERTISEMENT 'I always and still fight that Coloureds and Blacks are one people being treated differently mistakenly'. DOES GAYTON MCKENZIE DESERVE TO BE CANCELLED? 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
5 hours ago
- Politics
- The Citizen
Ramaphosa asked to take action against ‘racist' minister Gayton McKenzie
Sharing screenshots of his previous posts, some of which included the K-word, many labelled McKenzie a racist and said he needed to resign. Gayton McKenzie's criticism of alleged racial comments made against coloured people has his critics calling for President Cyril Ramaphosa to take action against the Sports minister for previous 'offensive' remarks he has made. McKenzie was among the most vocal critics of Open Chats Podcast hosts who recently claimed that coloured people practice incest and are mentally deranged. The show later issued two apologies for the comments. McKenzie's party, the PA, have opened a case of crimen injuria, and the matter is being investigated by the SA Human Rights Commission. While the outrage has been widespread and across political lines, McKenzie's further criticism of the remarks and claim 'coloureds and blacks are one people being treated differently mistakenly' have created their own storm. McKenzie on Friday claimed many were 'more offended by our outrage as coloured people against the vile racism that was directed at us, you find excuses for these young people who hurt a whole race.' 'You are encouraging future racists instead of nipping this in the bud. We are not you,' he added. As people began sharing offensive and racial slurs that McKenzie had himself made previously, the minister stood firm. 'This whole campaign to find something racist I ever said is hilarious because you have now gone 13 years back and can't bring out one racist thing I ever said. I always and still fight that coloureds and blacks are one people being treated differently mistakenly.' ALSO READ: WATCH: Gayton McKenzie gives update on Open Chats Podcast as Multichoice confirms its removal 'We demand action now!' Sharing screenshots of his previous posts, some of which included the K-word, many labelled McKenzie a racist and said he needed to resign. Former African Transformation Movement (ATM) president and MP Vuyolwethu Zungula was among those who called for President Cyril Ramaphosa to take action against McKenzie. 'Mr President, you appointed a minister who has publicly uttered deeply offensive and despicable words against black people. 'Is this really the vision of unity and inclusivity that the GNU stands for? We demand action now!' Neither McKenzie nor the Presidency has commented on the demands. NOW READ: 'Get your popcorn factory ready' — McKenzie willing to testify at the commission into Mkhwanazi allegations
The South African
18 hours ago
- Politics
- The South African
'Hypocrite': Gayton McKenzie dragged over 'racist' comments
Gayton McKenzie has been branded a 'hypocrite' over his bid for the hosts of the Open Chats Podcast to be cancelled for their 'racist' comments about coloured people. The Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, who is also the leader of the Patriotic Alliance, has condemned the show, which has since been dropped by DStv. The podcast has faced backlash from political parties, high-profile people and the public over claims it perpetuated racial stereotypes. On his X account, Gayton McKenzie called out Open Chats Podcast co-hosts Mthokozisi Donald and Sino Kama and their two female guests. Shortly after DStv shared news that they had dropped the show from their programming, the minister hinted at the presenters being cancelled over their comments. He posted: 'No one wants to see young people destroyed. It, is however, a teachable moment for these young people and their peers that racism has no place in South Africa, to let them continue as if nothing happened is the surest way of destroying them. He added: 'Consequence is a great teacher.' A day earlier, the Gayton vowed to take legal action against the Open Chats Podcast and its broadcaster. He said in a Facebook Live: 'Whoever is in charge of content control didnt see something wrong. 'We are giving you seven days to cancel that show. …You are going to learn. This is where we draw the line'. Senior PA leader Liam Jacobs later opened a case of hate speech and crimen injuria against the podcast presenters. Gayton McKenzie's social media comments about the Open Chats Podcast's presenters became a trending topic. Many South Africans called out the minister for being a 'hyopcrite' for calling out selective racism. Some recalled how he called for South Africans not to 'cancel' former DA MP Renaldo Gouws whose old K-word YouTube videos recently resurfaced. Others pulled up clips of Gayton discussing black people with comments seasoned with racist undertones. Some even reminded fellow South Africans that he was a convicted criminal. 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
- Politics
- IOL News
Minister Macpherson faces backlash from ActionSA over alleged derogatory remarks
Minister Dean Macpherson is facing threats of being reported to the SAHRC for alleged racist remarks. Image: Independent Media Archives Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson is standing his ground against pressure to retract utterances that were allegedly degrading ActionSA supporters to worthless people amid threats to report him to the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC). The ActionSA held an online meeting on Thursday, discussing further steps to be taken against the DA's KwaZulu-Natal chairperson. The party, which had already referred Macpherson to the national Parliament's Joint Committee on Ethics and Members' Interests for disciplinary action, is furious that he, outside the Pietermaritzburg High Court late last month, referred to 'over 500 Black ActionSA members' as pharas. ActionSA was demanding that the issue of calling its supporters pharas be given the same condemnation as Open Chats Podcast hosts, who are now being probed by the SAHRC for making derogatory remarks about coloured people. During a TikTok livestream discussion, ActionSA MP Alan Beesley said the SAHRC was the next step to hold the minister accountable for his utterances. 'After we reported Macpherson to the ethics committee in Parliament, and since we were hoping that he was going to apologise after we gave him a week to do so, which he had not done; that is going to continue. 'And we are going to launch a formal complaint with the SAHRC as this was a violation of the human rights of people, who were predominantly black, in a racist manner,' said Beesley. Instead of bowing to pressure to apologise, Macpherson accused ActionSA of being an attention seeker that was hellbent on distracting him from the fight against corruption. 'It's interesting that every time I am fighting corruption or dealing with critical issues in the department, ActionSA is trying to divert attention away from that issue,' he told this reporter last week. When asked to comment on the threats to refer him to the SAHRC, Macpherson said: 'My comment still stands.' Beesley announced taking alleged racist remarks to the SAHRC, shortly after Macpherson was at the Cape Town Central Police Station to open a case against the Independent Development Trust (IDT) suspended chief executive officer, Tebogo Malaka, and the trust's spokesperson, Phasha Makgolane, for trying to bribe a journalist. Beesley said Macpherson violated the rights that were protected by the Bill of Rights. Macpherson was caught in a video that found its way to social media, addressing DA supporters and leaders, including its Francois Rodgers, about the presence of ActionSA supporters outside the court, saying: 'There is a smallanyana (little) party (referring to ActionSA); they just brought up some people, and we don't know who they are since they are pharas; they gave them some green T-shirts. 'When you ask which party (they belong to), they said 'angazi' (I don't know), 'I am just here for one meal and one drink', and they were here for just singing and dancing.' Both the ActionSA and DA were in court attending a case they brought together against eThekwini Municipality for failing to fix sewage spillage around the city. Beesley said it was not premature to refer the matter to the SAHRC before being dealt with by Parliament, which is currently in recess. 'The SAHRC is here to protect human rights, while the ethics committee is here to protect the ethics of Parliament. We cannot divorce the fact that Macpherson is a member of Parliament and is a human being who is treating people differently. 'We should pursue him both as a member of Parliament and as an ordinary South African, because even if he made those comments as an ordinary South African, they would be out of line because you cannot mistreat people who are suffering the most, like that,' said Beesly. ActionSA provincial leader Zwakele Mncwango said Macpherson was refusing to apologise because 'he believed in what he said'. 'I think he does not see a reason why he must apologise as he stands by his words, and that is how he sees black people in South Africa. Unfortunately, he does not see anything wrong with what he said while he is a minister,' said Mncwango. He said Macpherson portrayed himself as a minister who was not prepared to use his ministerial position to help the homeless people out of their situation by building them houses. 'His arrogance will always show off, and even the DA has not said anything about this, and that tells you that it is in their DNA to stand with his views because if they also believed he is wrong, they should by now have spoken to him to apologise,' said Mncwango. ActionSA MP Mika Ngobeni, who was the livestream host, asked Mncwango to comment on parties in the Government of National Unity that were not criticising Macpherson in the same way they did against the podcast hosts who allegedly insulted coloured communities. Mncwango said this was because the legacy of apartheid was still hanging over. 'This requires all of us to work toward unity and to be true when it comes to reconciliation. If we ignore such matters or we look at them depending on who is saying what, we will never heal,' he said. [email protected]
The Herald
a day ago
- Politics
- The Herald
SAHRC probes ‘Open Chats Podcast' despite apology
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has launched an investigation into derogatory remarks made by the hosts of the Open Chats Podcast against the coloured community. The popular podcast came under fire this week, sparking outrage and calls for its removal. Political parties, including the ANC, DA, PA and EFF, have condemned the behaviour and reported the matter to the commission. Despite the hosts apologising and the clip being removed from the episode, the commission said it would proceed with its investigation. 'The commission, through its Gauteng provincial office, has opened an own accord investigation and will continue with its investigative process,' the SAHRC said. 'The commission also confirms receipt of several complaints from political parties and individuals against the Open Chats podcast for the pain endured by the coloured community and other vulnerable communities as a result of offensive remarks on the episode.' The SAHRC said it has sent allegation letters to the respondents and would determine the way forward. The commission urged the public to use the media responsibly, emphasising the right to freedom of expression is not absolute and hate speech is prohibited. 'Podcasts are not exempted from the limitations. Podcast owners, hosts and guests are subject to the constitution and all applicable laws.' The commission said it would make a submission to the draft white paper on audio and audiovisual media services and online safety released by the communications and digital technologies department. 'Recent online attacks against the coloured community and other vulnerable communities again underscore the urgent need for stronger digital regulations to protect dignity, equality and human rights in the digital age. 'The commission also advises that any individual complainant seeking criminal sanction may lodge a crimen injuria complaint with the police.' TimesLIVE
