Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie has issued a public apology after a storm erupted over resurfaced tweets from 2011 to 2017 in which he used racial slurs, including the K-word, and made comments viewed as deeply offensive and racially divisive. The tweets, widely circulated on social media, have sparked national outrage and intensified political pressure on McKenzie to resign.
In a candid statement, McKenzie—also the leader of the Patriotic Alliance—acknowledged his past online behavior, calling it “insensitive, stupid and hurtful.” “I was a troll & stupid. I cringe when seeing them and I am truly sorry for that,” he said. While distancing himself from any racist intent, McKenzie emphasized his political work to bridge divides between black and coloured communities and affirmed his willingness to cooperate with any investigation into the matter.
Despite the apology, backlash has been swift. ActionSA filed a formal complaint with the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), with party leader Herman Mashaba insisting an apology “is not good enough,” referencing the painful historical trauma associated with racial slurs. The Democratic Alliance echoed the call for McKenzie’s dismissal, citing consistency with its own removal of MP Renaldo Gouws for similar conduct. The EFF and ATM also weighed in, demanding his immediate resignation and accusing him of undermining democratic values.
McKenzie has suggested the timing of the uproar is politically charged, pointing to recent tensions involving the Open Chats Podcast, where he criticized the hosts for making anti-coloured remarks.
While the minister’s position within the Patriotic Alliance appears stable for now—bolstered by his loyal support base and party structure—public anger continues to swell. Analysts believe pressure may mount on President Cyril Ramaphosa to respond decisively as the SAHRC investigates, with the possibility of the case reaching the Equality Court.
For many South Africans, especially those directly affected by the country’s fraught racial history, McKenzie’s apology has not brought closure. Instead, it has reignited debate over what accountability should look like in a democracy still reckoning with its past.
