Is Gayton McKenzie’s political career hanging by a thread after use of the K-word?
Can Gayton McKenzie survive the backlash from his controversial comments?
Image: Michael Sherman/IOL
Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, is under scrutiny for resurfaced X posts in which he calls black people the k-word.
McKenzie, who is relatively new to the political scene, had a meteoric rise as the leader of the Patriotic Alliance (PA).
Yet, the right-wing party currently finds itself in murky waters after deputy president Kenny Kunene faced heat over his association with an alleged member of a murder syndicate.
Now McKenzie is in similar circumstances; so, what is the future of the party?
Professor Theo Neethling, of the Department of Political Studies and Governance at the University of the Free State, believes the PA can weather the storm due to its popularity in the coloured community, but that McKenzie's use of the derogatory word is unacceptable.
"We as South Africans all need to be sensitive to the use that can offend, as we have agreed not to use them," said Neethling. "This is reflected in legislation which includes the k-word specifically. As a minister, McKenzie must weigh his words carefully.
He added that the former convict is still a force to be reckoned with. "However, he used the k-word on multiple occasions, and this will come under scrutiny. That said, he also has the right to defend himself under our legal system and bring some context to the matter, after which a decision can be made."
Under Section 10 of the Equality Act, hate speech is prohibited.
"The Act provides that no person may publish, propagate, advocate or communicate words based on one or more of the prohibited grounds, against any person, that could reasonably be construed to demonstrate a clear intention to be hurtful; be harmful or to incite harm," said the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC).
Yet, McKenzie denies any wrongdoing in the matter and characterised individuals bringing up the posts as propagating a campaign against him.
"This whole campaign to find something racist I ever said is hilarious because you have now gone 13 years back and can’t bring out one racist thing I ever said. I always and still fight that coloureds and blacks are one people being treated differently mistakenly," he claimed.
Neethling said the developments are a setback from the PA, but it should not be underestimated.
"One should not underestimate the party's growth, especially among coloured people, and Minister McKenzie has captured a portion of this population that other parties, including the DA, have not been able to secure."
Activist Melisizwe Mandela has challenged the minister to a public debate on the meaning of racism in the country.
"Your definition of racism is wrong and dangerous. Racism is not just personal hatred. It is a system of power built on white supremacy, which shaped our economy, our land ownership, and our political institutions to exclude and dominate all black, African, coloured, and Indian people.
"Coloured people are black people, dispossessed and marginalised under white supremacy. To deny this is to erase their struggle, their blood, and their history. To suggest they are closer to white proximity is dangerous," he said.
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