African Transformation Movement (ATM) MP Vuyo Zungula is calling on President Cyril Ramaphosa to take urgent and decisive action against Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie, following the resurfacing of old social media posts in which McKenzie allegedly used the offensive K-word to describe Black South Africans.
Zungula condemned the language as “deeply offensive and despicable,” questioning whether McKenzie’s remarks align with the values of inclusivity and unity promised under the Government of National Unity. “Mr President, you appointed a Minister who has publicly uttered words that degrade the very people he claims to serve. Is this really your vision of unity?” he wrote in a strongly worded statement.
The controversy has triggered widespread backlash online, with hashtags related to the incident trending across South African social media. Many citizens and political observers are calling for swift accountability.
Opposition party ActionSA, led by Herman Mashaba, has also lodged a formal complaint with the South African Human Rights Commission, accusing McKenzie of using hateful, Apartheid-era slurs in a way that insults and dehumanises Black South Africans.
The ATM, known for its consistent calls for integrity in leadership, has drawn parallels between this controversy and previous scandals it has challenged—such as the unresolved Phala Phala matter.
As pressure mounts, both McKenzie and the Presidency have remained silent, leaving the country waiting for a clear response on how this racially charged issue will be addressed at the highest levels of government.
