The Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie. Picture: Ayanda Ndamane, Independent Newspapers
NEWLY-appointed Minister Gayton McKenzie is on a roll, and now he has promised to publicly name all the artists, creatives and sports stars who have been benefiting by receiving funds from the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture.
On Monday, McKenzie took to X account to announce that his department would be publicly sharing the names of those who have benefited from financial support from the department.
“I have given an instruction that a list be published of all artists, creatives and sports people who have been receiving money from the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, inclusive of amounts and reasons. The time where only a select, connected few benefit is over,” said McKenzie.
The Patriotic Alliance (PA) leader has previously expressed concern that only a few individuals were benefiting from the department and this is something that he wants to change.
McKenzie also shared an update on his pledge to dedicate his salary to the Joshlin Smith Foundation for missing children, revealing that his lawyers are in the final stages of registering the foundation, which is delaying his first salary being paid into the foundation.
He said in the meantime, he would be donating his first salary to the Backyard Art Gallery and Restaurant in Kagiso, following his visit to the gallery.
“I couldn’t believe that they managed to keep this gallery open despite the many obstacles. It is truly a heartbreaking afternoon for me,” he tweeted.
I have instructed lawyers to pay over my first salary to this gallery and the money should be shared by this 3 tremendous artist. I sat with artist and listened to their many problems whilst waiting until the money is on their different accounts. I saw gratitude mixed with tears pic.twitter.com/ShqjAwuR5W
— Gayton McKenzie (@GaytonMcK) July 7, 2024
McKenzie said his first ministerial salary would be paid to the gallery and the money would be split between the three artists that are working at the gallery.
McKenzie has been grabbing headlines since he was named minister.
During the swearing-in ceremony for ministers and deputy ministers, the ex-convict stole the show and had Chief Justice Raymond Zondo in stitches when he joked that the last time a judge asked him to sit, he was put behind bars for 10 years.
He has also promised to make spinning a popular sport, which he would use to fight the scourge of crime and drug abuse.