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The Star
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
ATM demands investigation and removal of Minister Gayton McKenzie over racist remarks
Thabo Makwakwa | Updated 7 hours ago The African Transformation Movement (ATM) formally lodged a complaint against Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie, alleging racist remarks aimed at black South Africans and calling for an urgent investigation and his removal. The complaint, submitted to the Presidency, Parliament, and the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Ethics and Members' Interests, centers on tweets the ATM said contain 'racist slurs' directed at the black community. McKenzie is embroiled in controversy regarding old social media posts dating back to 2011, shared on X (formerly Twitter) during his time as a businessman. The posts re vealed the use of highly offensive racial slur towards blacks. In one of his posts, he criticised the term 'Black Diamond' while using a racially charged term that many in South Africa consider reprehensible. ATM parliamentary leader Vuyo Zungula drafted the letter on Saturday. It frames the matter as a constitutional and ethical crisis rather than a political spat. Zungula asserted that the tweets 'contain racially derogatory slurs directed at black South Africans, language that is both indefensible and deeply corrosive to the principles upon which our democracy is built.' He argued that the issue 'is not a matter of political rivalry or petty offence. It is a matter of ethics, constitutional duty, and the moral fabric of the Republic.' In the letter, Zungula further reminded readers of the country's struggle with racial oppression and the purpose of national reconciliation efforts. '(The) tweets employ language steeped in historical racism, t he same kind of degrading rhetoric used to strip black people of their humanity during apartheid and colonial eras. ' Zungula also criticised McKenzie for what the letter describes as hypocrisy in response to remarks by younger podcasters, stating that ministers carry heavier responsibilities than private individuals. Among the key passages cited by the ATM are calls for accountability and transparency. 'Public trust is the currency of governance. When a Minister openly or historically expresses racial prejudice, without acknowledgment, remorse, or corrective action, that trust is irreparably damaged.' The letter added that an 'unrepentant Minister cannot credibly lead a department tasked with building cultural bridges and fostering unity.' The complaint asks Parliament's ethics bodies to determine whether the remarks breach the Constitution, the Executive Members' Ethics Act, and the Parliamentary Code of Conduct, and to consider removing McKenzie from his ministerial post. It argues that his continued tenure undermines his office and Parliament. The ATM also invoked several constitutional and statutory provisions, arguing that the Minister's conduct violates principles of non-racialism, equality before the law, the dignity of all people, and the expectations of ethical public service. The party listed specific constitutional sections and ethics codes, including references to Sections 1(b), 9, 10, and 195(1)(e) and (i) of the Constitution, the Executive Members' Ethics Act, and the Parliament's Code of Ethical Conduct and Disclosure of Members' Interests. 'Given the gravity of the matter, I request that the Presidency, Parliament, and the Ethics Committee initiate an immediate and thorough investigation into the Minister's remarks, past and present; determine whether these remarks constitute a breach of the Constitution, the Executive Members' Ethics Act, and the Parliamentary Code of Conduct; and recommend to the President the removal of Minister McKenzie from his position, as his continued tenure undermines the legitimacy of both his office and Parliament.' Requests for comment from the office of Minister McKenzie were not immediately returned. However, on Friday evening, he wrote on his X account saying that : '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.' Meanwhile, ActionSA has reported McKenzie to the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) for the racist remarks he made, which included the use of outdated and degrading slurs from the Apartheid era. [email protected] IOL Politics
IOL News
10-08-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
ATM demands investigation and removal of Minister Gayton McKenzie over racist remarks
African Transformation Movement demands action against Minister McKenzie for racism Image: BackpagePix The African Transformation Movement (ATM) formally lodged a complaint against Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie, alleging racist remarks aimed at black South Africans and calling for an urgent investigation and his removal. The complaint, submitted to the Presidency, Parliament, and the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Ethics and Members' Interests, centers on tweets the ATM said contain 'racist slurs' directed at the black community. McKenzie is embroiled in controversy regarding old social media posts dating back to 2011, shared on X (formerly Twitter) during his time as a businessman. The posts revealed the use of highly offensive racial slur towards blacks. In one of his posts, he criticised the term 'Black Diamond' while using a racially charged term that many in South Africa consider reprehensible. ATM parliamentary leader Vuyo Zungula drafted the letter on Saturday. It frames the matter as a constitutional and ethical crisis rather than a political spat. Zungula asserted that the tweets 'contain racially derogatory slurs directed at black South Africans, language that is both indefensible and deeply corrosive to the principles upon which our democracy is built.' He argued that the issue 'is not a matter of political rivalry or petty offence. It is a matter of ethics, constitutional duty, and the moral fabric of the Republic.' 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 ✕ In the letter, Zungula further reminded readers of the country's struggle with racial oppression and the purpose of national reconciliation efforts. '(The) tweets employ language steeped in historical racism, the same kind of degrading rhetoric used to strip black people of their humanity during apartheid and colonial eras.' Zungula also criticised McKenzie for what the letter describes as hypocrisy in response to remarks by younger podcasters, stating that ministers carry heavier responsibilities than private individuals. Among the key passages cited by the ATM are calls for accountability and transparency. 'Public trust is the currency of governance. When a Minister openly or historically expresses racial prejudice, without acknowledgment, remorse, or corrective action, that trust is irreparably damaged.' Mr President @CyrilRamaphosa, 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! — Vuyo Zungula MP 🇿🇦 (@ZungulaVuyo) August 8, 2025 The letter added that an 'unrepentant Minister cannot credibly lead a department tasked with building cultural bridges and fostering unity.' The complaint asks Parliament's ethics bodies to determine whether the remarks breach the Constitution, the Executive Members' Ethics Act, and the Parliamentary Code of Conduct, and to consider removing McKenzie from his ministerial post. It argues that his continued tenure undermines his office and Parliament. The ATM also invoked several constitutional and statutory provisions, arguing that the Minister's conduct violates principles of non-racialism, equality before the law, the dignity of all people, and the expectations of ethical public service. The party listed specific constitutional sections and ethics codes, including references to Sections 1(b), 9, 10, and 195(1)(e) and (i) of the Constitution, the Executive Members' Ethics Act, and the Parliament's Code of Ethical Conduct and Disclosure of Members' Interests. 'Given the gravity of the matter, I request that the Presidency, Parliament, and the Ethics Committee initiate an immediate and thorough investigation into the Minister's remarks, past and present; determine whether these remarks constitute a breach of the Constitution, the Executive Members' Ethics Act, and the Parliamentary Code of Conduct; and recommend to the President the removal of Minister McKenzie from his position, as his continued tenure undermines the legitimacy of both his office and Parliament.' Requests for comment from the office of Minister McKenzie were not immediately returned.
IOL News
08-07-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
ATM's proposal to rename South Africa as Azania: What does it mean and how do South Africans feel about it?
ATM proposed to change the country's name to Republic of Azania. The African Transformation Movement (ATM) has announced its intention to table a proposal before Parliament and the Constitutional Review Committee to rename South Africa as the Republic of Azania. According to the party, the move is a part of a broader project of national decolonisation. The proposal has sparked debate across political, public and social media spheres. ATM president and parliamentary leader Vuyo Zungula argues that the name South Africa is a colonial imposition, created through the Union of South Africa in 1910 by the British and the Boers. 'Before 1652, we were not South Africans,' he said. 'The name comes from a colonial structure created to further the oppression of indigenous people. It is time we reclaim our identity.' Zungula went further to draw comparisons with other post-colonial nations—such as Namibia (formerly South West Africa)—that changed colonial-era names to reflect local history and pride.
The Citizen
04-07-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
Proposal to change name of South Africa to Republic of Azania
The ATM, which hopes to table the proposal in parliament, argues that South Africa is a colonial label imposed by the British and the Boers. The Republic of Azania is what South Africa could be called, following a proposal by a political party to change the country's name. The African Transformation Movement (ATM) and other political parties have opened a debate about changing South Africa's name to the Republic of Azania. Azania The ATM, which hopes to table the proposal in parliament, argues that South Africa is a colonial label imposed by the British and the Boers. ATM leader Vuyo Zungula said the name change is about reclaiming identity and restoring heritage. 'South Africa is still a colonised name because before 1652, we were not South Africans. The name South Africa came as a result of the British and the Boers coming to club together and forming what is called the Union of South Africa. 'They are working together for the oppression of the indigenous people… We must not be conditioned to subscribe to a colonial identity given to us by colonisers and oppressors,' Zungula said. ALSO READ: EFF wants SA renamed Azania, says Shivambu 'Renaming SA necessary' Zungula believes that renaming the country is a necessary step toward reclaiming national pride and restoring cultural heritage. 'Other countries have done it. Take South West Africa, for example. It is now Namibia. We should not have to cling to a name given to us by colonisers.' 'No success' North West University professor and political analyst Andre Duvenhage said the name change has no prospects of success. 'It's definitely not going to be accepted easily. You will need a two-thirds majority, maybe six of the nine provinces as well, and it will come with a huge cost on all levels. 'Think about it, we need to change all the ID documents, all the driver's licenses, all the passports, just to mention literally the tip of the iceberg, so I think it is controversial, each chance of success? Not very strong,' Duvenhage said. ALSO READ: WATCH: Joburg mayor gives update on Sandton Drive rename Why Azania? Duvenhage said the concept of Azania is associated with East Africa, specifically the dry, arid lands of countries like Somalia and parts of Kenya. 'It was also picked up in the literature of the Roman Empire, as well as the Arab literature. I think in Jewish it has a link to the land of God, but it was picked up in the South African context within the black consciousness context. 'It is seen as a land of the Black people. And taking this as your point of departure, it's basically an attempt to get rid of the colonial heritage. It's part of the process that is well known in South Africa, that of name changes, you raising the colonial history, and so it's coming from a radical background,' Duvenhage said. PAC Duvenhage said the proposal to rename South Africa to the Republic of Azania also stems from the Pan Africanist Congress (PAC) that South Africa should be renamed 'Azania'. 'It was also named by the PAC, so it is an established name in the South African context, but without any doubt it is very exclusive and it's excluding colonial, slash, in this case white people, and I cannot see this as an attempt to bring together South Africans'. Political climate Duvenhage said the ATM's proposal is also part of the current political climate in the country. 'I think it is also part of the climate we are in at the moment, a climate where we know that we need change. Changes are on the cards, we saw the polarisation within the government of national unity, the so-called national dialogue that needs to kick off, so it seems as if the political process is opening, 'But I'm also picking up that politicians are putting up a flyer, to test the political winds of change and see how people will react to this,' Duvenhage said. While the name South Africa is descriptive of a geographic location, the name gives a strong cultural, political, and historical connection that reminds citizens of different epochs in the country's history and how it interacted with other countries. NOW READ: Former SA deputy president David Mabuza has died
The South African
02-07-2025
- Politics
- The South African
Proposal to change the name of SOUTH AFRICA to THIS
The African Transformation Movement (ATM) has announced plans to formally table a proposal before parliament to change South Africa's official name to the Republic of Azania , reigniting a decades-old debate about national identity and colonial legacy. ATM leader Vuyo Zungula says the current name, South Africa , is a relic of colonial rule and fails to reflect the indigenous heritage of the nation's people. Speaking in parliament this week, Zungula argued that the name originated with the British and Boer colonisers during the formation of the Union of South Africa in 1910, and should be replaced as part of a broader effort to decolonise the state. 'Before 1652, we were not South Africans. The name was imposed upon us,' Zungula stated. 'We need to reclaim our identity, just like other formerly colonised nations have done.' The proposal calls for South Africa to be renamed the Republic of Azania – a title historically associated with various liberation movements during the apartheid era. Zungula said the change would symbolise a break from the past and the restoration of dignity to the country's indigenous population. Predictably, the proposal has sparked mixed reactions among political commentators and the public. While some support the change as a meaningful step toward decolonisation, others have dismissed it as unnecessary and politically motivated. Political analyst Kenneth Mokgatlhe criticised the move, arguing that 'South Africa' is a geographic term, not inherently colonial. 'Many countries use geographic descriptors – think South Sudan, Central African Republic, or North Macedonia,' he said. 'The name 'Azania' has no broad cultural or linguistic grounding among South Africans.' He added that the term is mostly embraced by a narrow group of black radical thinkers, and lacks the widespread recognition necessary for a unifying national name. ATM and its allies plan to approach the Constitutional Review Committee to initiate formal discussions. Any name change would likely require a constitutional amendment, supported by a two-thirds majority in parliament and broad public consultation. Legal experts note that such a change would have wide-ranging administrative implications, including updates to passports, government signage, legislation, currency, and international treaties. 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.
