Picture: Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
24 August 2026 – The Democratic Alliance (DA) believes that the exposed deployment of now even more insider cadres of Patriotic Alliance (PA) leader, Gayton McKenzie to key jobs in his department, shows that he is unfit to be a Minister. The DA alleges that McKenzie is not the PA’s leader when he is deploying insiders to taxpayer-funded jobs, he is meant to be the Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture for all South Africans.
DA Member of Parliament (MP) and spokesperson on Sport, Arts and Culture, Leah Potgieter said this conduct cannot be allowed to stand. Potgieter said the DA will hold him to account in every way possible because all South Africans deserve a fair shot at opportunities, not just McKenzie’s insiders.
“Now at least 19 senior government jobs are occupied by Gayton’s own insiders, not by independent, non-political experts. Are South Africans to be excluded by McKenzie at every turn?
“The DA has long raised the alarm about his cadre deployment. PA members appointed to the previous Mzansi Golden Economy (MGE) adjudication panel or leading positions at entities such as the National Library of South Africa (NLSA), Boxing South Africa, and many others, is a practice that must end,” she said.
Potgieter further said she will not let McKenzie escape the rules and the law on this disgraceful cadre deployment.
Picture: Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie
By AGISANANG SCUFF
2 August 2026 – The Democratic Alliance (DA) said on 4 August 2026, Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie and his department, will account to Parliament on its FIFA World Cup 2026 delegation and related expenses. The DA alleges that, as McKeinzie and his department failed to provide proper, accountable responses to questions about the spending extravaganza, they have requested that Minister and his department come prepared for tough questions and avoid the lack of transparency.
DA Member of Parliament (MP) and spokesperson on Sport, Arts and Culture, Leah Potgieter said the DA has pre-emptively written to the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Sport, Arts and Culture, demanding that the Minister and the Department prepare and present the full names, relevant qualifications and experience of each of the 151 delegation members that warranted their inclusion. Potgieter said this includes the specific role and responsibilities of each of the 151 delegation members.
She further said McKenzie should provide a clear account of what each of the 151 delegation members did during the World Cup. Potgieter added that they also need a detailed account of the meetings and engagements held by the Minister and each of the 151 delegation members.
“A detailed breakdown of the estimated R31 million expenditures, including the cost attributable to each of the 151 delegation members. A detailed breakdown of all sponsorships received and a detailed account of the return on investment achieved from the estimated R31 million expenditures, including the measurable benefits secured for South African sport, arts, culture, tourism, or related industries.
“The DA will hold McKenzie to account for each rand spent at the World Cup,” she said.
However, McKenzie said over the past week, questions have been raised in Parliament and in the media about spending connected to South Africa’s engagement with the FIFA World Cup 2026, most of it centred on a figure of approximately R31 million, which is an amount that was openly disclosed in a parliamentary reply, where there was nothing to hide.
“Official trips and travel-related expenditure of the Minister and two support staff, Director-General, and Project Team (14 members) amount to R7 865 134.97, South Africa 2010 Legends Exhibition Match (involving 27 people in total) equal to R6 706 925.00.
“The suites expenditure equal to R3 361 845.18, spectator match tickets amount to R3 011 465.00 and programme activities linked to fan engagement, Aldea Global participation, Atlanta partnership activations, monterrey and legacy activities (including the costs of 30 artists and cultural participants, and the project delivery
team from a service provider) equals to R10 000 000.00. The total is R30 945 370.15,” he said.
McKenzie said spending a budget is not a scandal. He said spending a departmental budget on the department’s mandate is not, in itself, a wrongdoing.
“The FIFA World Cup was the single largest global sport, arts and culture platform of the year and it comes only every four years. Spending public money to position South Africa on such a platform is not a deviation from the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) mandate – it is exactly the DSAC mandate.
“If any person believes money was improperly allocated, appropriated, or spent, or that I personally benefited in a corrupt manner, I invite them to bring that evidence forward to Parliament, the Auditor-General, or to any law enforcement body with the power to investigate it,” said McKenzie.
Picture: Northern Cape MEC for Sport, Arts and Culture, Mangaliso Matika
By AGISANANG SCUFF
24 July 2926 – As part of the Mandela Month programme, the Northern Cape MEC for Sport, Arts and Culture, Mangaliso Matika conducted an outreach programme to support older persons at Bophelong Care Centre, GAASCA Old Age Home, Seochwareng Old Age Home, and the AFM Fountain of Joy Church on the 22 July 2026. The outreach programme was aimed at providing much-needed support and essential services to older persons in recognition of Mandela Month, while promoting the values of compassion, dignity and selfless service inspired by the legacy of former President Nelson Mandela.
Mafika said the initiative was implemented in collaboration with the Al-Imdaad Foundation, whose partnership contributed significantly to ensuring that older persons received essential items to improve their well-being. He said during the visits, the four institutions received donations of mattresses, food parcels and blankets to enhance the comfort and quality of life of their elderly residents.
“In addition, the Northern Cape Department of Sport, Arts and Culture made financial commitments to further support the facilities and strengthen the services they provide to older persons. The department committed R10 000 to Bophelong Care Centre, R20 000 to GAASCA Old Age Home, R10 000 to Seochwareng Old Age Home and R10 000 to the AFM Fountain of Joy Church.
“We would like to reaffirm government’s commitment to protect the dignity and welfare of older persons. Mandela Month reminds us that serving our communities is a shared responsibility. Through this outreach, we are demonstrating our commitment to ensuring that older persons are cared for, respected and supported,” said Matika.
He further said they appreciate the partnership with the Al-Imdaad Foundation in making a meaningful difference in the lives of our senior citizens. Matika added that his department, remains committed to strengthening partnerships that improve the lives of vulnerable groups and ensure that older persons continue to receive the care, support and respect they deserve.
“The financial commitments made during the outreach will further assist these institutions in addressing their immediate needs and enhancing the quality of care provided to elderly residents,” he said.
23 April 2026 – When Bafana Bafana walk onto the pitch for the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in June, it will mark exactly 16 years since South Africa, as host nation, kicked off the first World Cup on African soil against Mexico in Johannesburg.
Fast forward to 11 June 2026, and history repeats itself — with the same two nations meeting again in the tournament’s opening fixture, this time with South Africa playing away in Mexico.
“The same two countries. The same opening fixture. Exactly 16 years later. That is not a coincidence that football often gives you. When history hands you a gift like that, you do something with it,” the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, said on Thursday in Pretoria during a media briefing.
As part of commemorating the historic encounter, the two countries will stage a Legends rematch on 8 June 2026 — three days before the official opener.
The legends of the 2010 Bafana Bafana squad are set to face their Mexican counterparts in Pachuca, Mexico, revisiting the iconic clash from the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
“The South African Football Association (SAFA) and the South African Masters and Legends Football Association have been working together to identify 20 of the players and team management from the 2010 squad. The playing kit will be secured by SAFA through its sponsor, Adidas,” the Minister said.
The match will be hosted in partnership with Pachuca, home to Club Pachuca, one of Mexico’s most historic football clubs.
“We are deeply grateful to Pachuca for the role they are playing in making this possible. This is not a match happening next to the World Cup. This is a match happening because two football nations, with a shared moment in history, decided to honour that moment properly,” McKenzie said.
Following the match, the South African Legends will remain in Mexico to host coaching clinics on 9 and 10 June, sharing their experience with young Mexican players and South African diaspora footballers.
They will also attend the opening match on 11 June before returning home the following day.
Ekhaya Centre to showcase SA culture
To promote South Africa’s culture and talent, the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, in partnership with Brand South Africa and SA Tourism, will host the Ekhaya Centre at the Centro Nacional de las Artes in Mexico City.
“Ekhaya will be a place to watch football. It will be a place to see South African art, to hear South African music, to eat South African food. It will be a media centre for the journalists covering Bafana’s campaign.
“It will be a fan park and a fan engagement space. It will be a venue for business and investment networking – because when our flag is flying, our economy should be working alongside it,” the Minister said.
South Africa will also participate at the Aldea Global centre in Mexico City, alongside exhibitions from the 48 participating nations, with up to 20 South African artists set to perform.
Additional activation centres will be hosted in Atlanta and Monterrey, aligned with Bafana Bafana’s match schedule, to further boost fan engagement and promote South Africa on the global stage.
Cultural ambassadors to travel with the team
The department will also support South African artists to perform at the Ekhaya Centre and other activation hubs.
“We will be supporting South African chefs to cater to our fans, our guests, and curious Mexicans who want to experience South African cuisine. We will also support local podcasters and journalists to cover the tournament and tell our story in our own voices.
“To the South African journalists, podcasters and influencers travelling with us: you are not going to Mexico on holiday. You are going to render a service to your country.
“You will be telling South Africans, in their own voices and on their own platforms, what their players are doing on the world stage. That role is not always adequately recognised in this country, and it should be,” the Minister said.
Details of the selection process will be announced by the department in the coming days. –SAnews.gov.za
Picture: The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Sport, Arts and Culture, Joe McGluwa
By STAFF REPORTER
6 April 2026 – The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Sport, Arts and Culture, Joe McGluwa has expressed deep concern and disappointment at the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture’s last-minute postponement of the 2026 Autumn Athletics National School Sport Championships, calling it a clear failure of planning and accountability. McGluwa said the championships were scheduled to take place from 8–12 April 2026, at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg.
“This postponement is unacceptable. It reflects a failure of basic planning and due diligence. The unavailability of the stadium was foreseeable and avoidable, yet provinces were instructed to proceed with procurement and logistical arrangements.
“As a result, provinces have already incurred significant costs for accommodation, transport, and contractual obligations; costs that now translate into financial losses and reputational damage,” he said.
McGluwa further said this breach of trust is deeply concerning. He added that communities, learners and educators have planned in good faith.
“For many young athletes, this event is the highlight of their sporting year, only to be let down by poor planning. The committee made it clear to the Athletic South Africa last week when the entity appeared before the committee, that sport is not a luxury.
“Sport is a constitutional commitment to youth development, equity, and social cohesion, and a means of living if one reaches the top echelons of professionalism. When planning collapses at this scale, it undermines the very purpose of national championships,” emphasised McGluwa.
He said the committee has demanded full accountability from the department. McGluwa said they require a clear explanation of how this lapse occurred, immediate clarity on revised dates and venue, and a concrete plan to compensate provinces for the financial strain already incurred.
“This failure goes beyond logistics. This is about respect – respect for our youth, our educators, and the communities that carry the weight of school sports in our country. We call on both the department of Sport, Arts and Culture, and the Department of Basic Education to manage national school sport with discipline, foresight.
“National school sport must be administered with professionalism, coordination and respect for provinces and stakeholders. On behalf of the committee, we wish all athletes, including private clubs participating in various sporting codes over this Easter Weekend good luck and he appealed to everyone to remain safe on the roads,” he said.
Picture: Athletics from Curro partaking in South African Schools Athletics Championship/Generic
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
6 April 2026 – The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Limpopo said it has engaged Limpopo MEC for Sport, Arts and Culture, Jerry Maseko over serious concern regarding the uncertainty and apparent mismanagement surrounding the 2026 South African Schools Athletics Championship, which is scheduled to take place from 8–11 April at the Royal Bafokeng stadium in Rustenburg. The DA said conflicting communication from national authorities and organising bodies has left learners, parents, coaches, and provincial departments in a state of confusion.
DA Limpopo spokesperson on Sport, Arts and Culture and Member of Provincial Legislature (MPL), Advocate Franco Marx said while the national Department of Sport, Arts and Culture has purportedly indicated that the event has been postponed due to the unavailability of the venue, other stakeholders have suggested that no final decision has been made. Marx said this lack of coordination is deeply troubling.
“Learners from Limpopo, many of whom have trained tirelessly to compete at this prestigious event, are now faced with uncertainty at the eleventh hour. This comes at the back of last year’s disappointment in Bloemfontein coupled with the failures of the primary school athletic championship event in Cape Town last month, caused by the Limpopo department.
“Equally concerning is the financial impact on the Limpopo Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, which has already incurred significant costs relating to travel, accommodation, and logistical arrangements,” he said.
Marx further said this situation raises serious questions about planning, communication, and accountability at a national level. He added that major events of this nature require proper coordination and confirmed venues well in advance, not last-minute cancellations that place undue strain on provinces and unfairly disadvantage young athletes.
“Maseko has indicated that he is aware of the situation and has further committed to issuing a formal statement on behalf of the department as soon as there is clarity regarding the way forward.
“The DA will continue to monitor this matter closely and will not hesitate to demand accountability should it emerge that poor planning or negligence has resulted in financial losses or prejudice to Limpopo’s learners,” said Marx.
He said they call on Maseko to urgently provide clear, consistent communication and a definitive way forward to affected athletes in Limpopo.
Picture: The Junior District Commissioner, Junior Visible Policing (Vispol) Coordinator and Junior District Operational Commander/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
26 February 2026- The Pixley ka Seme District Commissioner, Major General Nomana Mtukushe, hosted the Junior Commissioner Project on 24 February 2026, at the De Aar Town Hall. Relevant stakeholders, including the Department of Education, the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, Old Mutual and Standard Bank, officiated a public speaking competition in which 20 learners delivered impromptu speeches addressing Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) and its impact on society.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Colonel Cherelle Ehlers said during their presentations, learners committed themselves to eradicating bullying in schools and tackling issues that contribute to crimes against women and children. Ehlers said following the presentations and a thorough adjudication process, 4 Junior Commissioners were elected, including the Junior District Commissioner, Junior Visible Policing (Vispol) Coordinator and Junior District Operational Commander.
“These young leaders will serve as ambassadors for the organisation and will actively promote safety and security within their respective schools and communities,” she said.
Picture: The Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayston McKenzie
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
3 February 2026- The Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayston McKenzie said South Africa has expressed its willingness to support the Confederation of African Football (CAF) if required, should alternative hosting arrangements for the 2026 WAFCON become necessary. McKenzie provided clarity on the matter following remarks made by his Deputy Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Peace Mabe at the Hollywoodbets Super League Awards regarding the 2026 TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
He further said these engagements form part of ongoing discussions initiated by CAF as it considers various contingencies in line with the confederation’s responsible stewardship of the continental game. McKenzie added that, at this stage, no formal decision has been taken to relocate the tournament and Morocco remains the officially designated host of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
“CAF has not yet triggered any alternative hosting process. Any potential hosting of the tournament by South Africa would be subject to established government and football governance processes, in partnership with the South African Football Association (SAFA) and other stakeholders, including formal confirmation from CAF that alternative hosting arrangements are required, approval through the relevant Cabinet processes, confirmation of host cities, stadium availability, accommodation and transport capacity and the conclusion of the necessary government guarantees and operational agreements.
“The remarks made by the Deputy Minister reflect government’s longstanding engagement on supporting African football and South Africa’s confidence in its proven ability to host major international sporting events. They do not constitute a formal confirmation or assumption of hosting responsibilities,” he said.
McKenzie said the department, with SAFA and stakeholders, will continue to engage with CAF in a structured and responsible manner. He said any further announcements will be made only once all required processes have been concluded and formal decisions taken.
“The Ministry of Sport, Arts and Culture will continue to pursue a long-term strategy of hosting major sporting events to boost sport, tourism, economic growth and the image of the country on the world stage,” said McKenzie.
2 February 2026- The Northern Cape Department of Sport, Arts and Culture mourns the passing of one of South Africa’s most influential cultural voices, Dr Diana Ferrus. The department said Ferrus’ poetic brilliance and unwavering commitment to justice, identity and reconciliation have left an enduring legacy in South African literature and cultural life.
The Northern Cape MEC for Sport, Arts and Culture, Mangaliso Matika said Ferrus was a gifted author, poet and mentor whose iconic poem for Sarah Baartman restored dignity and sparked national reflection, contributing meaningfully to South Africa’s journey of healing and unity. Matika said her work earned recognition both nationally and internationally.
“She played a vital role in nurturing literary talent in the Northern Cape through her involvement in Writers Festivals held in the Province, where she guided and supported aspiring writers and authors with generosity and passion.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to her family, friends, fellow writers and the broader arts community. We honour her remarkable contribution to arts and culture, and her legacy will continue to inspire future generations,” he said.
18 December 2025- The Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie said he has received with great sadness the news of the passing of Lusanda Dumke, one of South Africa’s most respected and influential women’s rugby players. McKenzie said Dumke served her country with distinction, earning 33 Test caps for the Springbok Women and captaining the national side.
He further said she was also a central figure in the rise of the Bulls Daisies, leading them to three successive Women’s Premier Division titles and becoming a symbol of excellence and resilience in the women’s game.
McKenzie added that Dumke will be remembered as a leader who carried the hopes of her teammates and the pride of her nation every time she stepped on to the field.
“She represented courage, discipline and an unbreakable competitive spirit. We acknowledge that women’s rugby had seen major growth and development during the period that Dumke had dedicated herself to the sport. Her passing, following a battle with a rare form of gastric cancer, had greatly impoverished the rugby community.
“Dumke was a role model whose journey inspired young women across South Africa to believe in their place in rugby and in sport more broadly.
“Her passing is a devastating loss to the rugby community and to the country. We honour her contribution, her leadership, and the doors she opened for future generations,” he said.
McKenzie said they extend their heartfelt condolences to Dumke’s family, friends, teammates, coaches and supporters. He said may Dumke’s legacy continue to uplift and inspire South African sport.
“She will always be remembered in the hearts of all the women and girls she has inspired,” said McKenzie.
Meanwhile, the Democratic Alliance (DA) Buffalo City Constituency Leader and Member of Provincial Leader (MPL), Leander Kruger said: “They mourn the passing of Springbok Women’s rugby player and Mdantsane trailblazer, Dumke, who lost her battle with cancer at the age of 28. South Africa has lost an exceptional athlete, a leader, and a source of inspiration to countless young people, particularly young women who saw in Dumke as a powerful example of what dedication, resilience, and belief can achieve.
“Dumke’s journey from Mdantsane to representing South Africa in the green and gold was one of exceptional determination, resilience, and courage. Her impact extended far beyond the rugby field. She was a role model rooted in her community, never forgetting where she came from, and always carrying herself with humility and grace.”
The Guardian 