Fifteen of South Africa’s most prominent civil society organisations, including the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation, Defend Our Democracy, SECTION27 and the Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation, have slammed Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie’s xenophobic comments. This is their statement:
We, the undersigned civil society organisations, write to express our deep concern and strong condemnation of the recent public statements and directives issued by Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Mr Gayton McKenzie.
Speaking at a recent signing of stakeholder compacts with public entities falling within the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture (DSAC), the minister said of foreign nationals employed by these entities, “I want them out… Get them out before I get you out.”
He demanded of those in attendance: “If you are [hiring] foreigners… I expect the CEOs, the board chairpersons, and the whole board to take action within two weeks after receiving my letter tomorrow.”
The instruction follows a directive he issued on 28 April 2025 mandating an immediate audit of all foreign nationals employed across DSAC entities. Letters have been issued to these entities, following the finalisation of that audit, which require further particulars of employees and the processes followed prior to their employment.
