Latest news with #Siwelele
The Citizen
4 days ago
- Business
- The Citizen
I won't be involved in the running of Siwelele FC
Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie says he will not be involved in the running of Siwelele FC. The Citizen reports McKenzie had to clarify his role in the new club after his son Calvin Le' John bought the status of SuperSport United for a reported fee of R50m and renamed it Siwelele FC. 'Siwelele FC is a very small part of my family's portfolio and there's bigger things which I was not involved in. Why will I get involved in that? I would have been involved as a supporter, as a minister I'm not allowed to get involved,' McKenzie told the media as reported by SABC Sport. 'I'm just happy Siwelele Samasele is back in the Free State. My heart breaks when I saw the lies that people of the Free State have been told, every year, believe me. Every year there's some failed business man that wants to be famous, he'll tell the people, 'I'm bringing Siwelele back' and the people will be happy. 'Every year without fail and when they do bring it back, then they sell it. My son didn't bring it back for financial reasons, it's not gonna pay rent for the family, he brought it back because Siwelele is a culture, it's our heritage, there's something missing in my soul as a Free Stater if Siwelele is not back. 'I will not be involved in the running of Siwelele,' he added.
The Citizen
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Citizen
I'll not be involved in the running of Siwelele
'I'm just happy Siwelele Samasele is back in the Free State," said McKenzie. Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie says he will not be involved in the running of Siwelele FC. McKenzie had to clarify his role in the new club after his son Calvin Le' John bought the status of SuperSport United for a reported fee of R50 million and renamed it Siwelele FC. ALSO READ: Cardoso grateful to Sundowns and staff after PSL nomination 'Siwelele FC is a very small part of my family's portfolio and there's bigger things which I was not involved in. Why will I get involved in that? I would have been involved as a supporter, as a minister I'm not allowed to get involved,'McKenzie told the media as reported by SABC Sport. 'I'm just happy Siwelele Samasele is back in the Free State. My heart breaks when I saw the lies that people of the Free State have been told, every year, believe me. Every year there's some failed business man that wants to be famous, he'll tell the people, 'I'm bringing Siwelele back' and the people will be happy. ALSO READ: 'Very crucial' for Banyana to win against Senegal 'Every year without fail and when they do bring it back, then they sell it. My son didn't bring it back for financial reasons, it's not gonna pay rent for the family, he brought it back because Siwelele is a culture, it's our heritage, there's something missing in my soul as a Free Stater if Siwelele is not back. 'I will not be involved in the running of Siwelele,' he added.
The South African
5 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
Mamelodi Sundowns outcasts lined up for shock move to Siwelele
Mamelodi Sundowns three side lined stars are being targeted by Siwelele FC, the ambitious new outfit preparing for its first Betway Premiership campaign in 2025/2026 The club, which acquired SuperSport United's top-flight status, has already kicked off training in Johannesburg and is working swiftly to shape a competitive squad. Among the prime targets is Neo Maema, the talented 29-year-old who began his professional journey at Bloemfontein Celtic. Despite his promise, Maema struggled for consistent game time under coach Miguel Cardoso last season. He started just six matches, came off the bench 11 times, and appeared in 29 matchday squads from a possible 54 fixtures. Siwelele believes he could rediscover his form with regular football and the backing of a fresh project. Siwelele have also inquired about Terrence Mashego, another Sundowns player who failed to break into the starting XI consistently. The former Cape Town City left-back played just seven games from the start and made six substitute appearances. Coach Cardoso opted to deploy Divine Lunga and Aubrey Modiba ahead of Mashego, pushing the 28-year-old down the pecking order. Mashego's exclusion from the squad that travelled to the FIFA Club World Cup only intensified speculation about his future. Kegan Johannes, who made a high-profile move from SuperSport United, has found life difficult at Sundowns. The right-back, recovering from injury, managed just two starts and four substitute appearances all season. He remains behind Khuliso Mudau and Thapelo Morena in the pecking order. Johannes also missed out on the Club World Cup trip, fuelling rumours that a loan or permanent move to Siwelele could offer him the opportunity to reignite his career. While Siwelele is scouting talent from the Brazilians, several former SuperSport players are heading for the exit. Thulani Hlatshwayo is reportedly set to reunite with Gavin Hunt at Durban City FC. Meanwhile, veteran striker Bradley Grobler has joined Sekhukhune United, and Terrence Dzvukamanja is also set to move on. Interestingly, a few unexpected names have surfaced during Siwelele's pre-season. Jesse Donn, who retired from professional football last year, was seen participating in a training match, possibly hinting at a return. Former SuperSport defender Buhle Mkhwanazi, who exited during the COVID-19 pandemic over vaccine concerns, is also back in the mix, along with ex-Kaizer Chiefs man Kamohelo Mahlatsi and former Pirates midfielder Xola Mlambo, who are both on trial. Will Mamelodi Sundowns allow the trio to join Siwelele? 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
08-07-2025
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
‘He's a good kid with good intentions': McKenzie thanks son for Siwelele FC deal
Sport, arts and culture minister Gayton McKenzie has expressed his gratitude to his son, Calvin Le John, for purchasing SuperSport United and rebranding it as Siwelele Football Club. SuperSport was sold to a Bloemfontein-based consortium, with Le John part of the team that secured the R50m deal. The sale awaits approval from the Premier Soccer League (PSL) executive committee. In a Facebook post, McKenzie thanked his son, highlighting the emotional connection his family has with the 'Siwelele' name, which was the nickname previously associated with Bloemfontein Celtic. 'You were born five hours after I was jailed for 17 years,' McKenzie said. '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. 'I remember you told me that it brings you closer to me emotionally, knowing that you are doing the same thing I did with my father and your grandfather. You suffered growing up without your dad. I thank God for a powerful mother who stood in the gap. You are the main reason I behaved better because I wanted to come out and didn't want to see you grow up behind jail bars forever.'
The South African
05-07-2025
- Politics
- 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.
