Gayton McKenzie faces scrutiny over 19 PA-linked appointments to arts and culture boards
Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie faces scrutiny over claims that at least 19 people linked to the Patriotic Alliance were appointed to boards under his department.
Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie is under increased scrutiny for the appointment of at least 19 individuals with ties to his Patriotic Alliance (PA) party to arts and culture boards and directorates under his department. An investigation discovered that these appointees were PA members or people with access to the party's leadership, spanning institutions including the National Film and Video Foundation, National Library of South Africa, National Arts Council, Boxing South Africa, and various theatres and museums.
The appointments, which involve decisions on management, funding, productions, programmes, and festivals, come with remuneration ranging from R14,000 to R80,000 annually. High-profile appointees include Tony Ferreira, Simon Clarke, Omphemetse Mokgosi, Siphosethu Mtamzeli, and Andrea Gordon, all serving on the NFVF council for the 2024-2027 term.
The Mzansi Golden Economy (MGE) adjudication panel has also faced criticism, with Steve Motale, Vernon Vraagom, and Francisco Tejada implicated in the 2025/26 panel responsible for assessing nearly R110 million in MGE funding. The Democratic Alliance accused McKenzie of using public institutions to benefit political insiders, emphasizing the need for opportunities based on merit rather than political connections.
DA MP Leah Potgieter stated that South Africans deserved a fair chance and the DA would not allow McKenzie to escape the rules and law on this "disgraceful cadre deployment." The DA previously raised concerns about cadre deployment, including the appointment of PA members to the MGE adjudication panel and positions at institutions like the National Library of South Africa and Boxing South Africa.
The DA filed a complaint with the Public Protector in July, questioning whether McKenzie breached the Executive Ethics Code through appointments linked to public fund allocations. The PA denied the allegations, calling them a "headline-seeking stunt with zero evidence." McKenzie has previously faced criticism over the department's 2026 FIFA World Cup programme, with the DA questioning its transparency and accountability.
McKenzie has defended the programme and stated that the department is finalizing a full reconciliation of the spending. The controversy also follows the dissolution of the National Arts Council board by McKenzie amid concerns over funding cuts and the future of major arts festivals.
Written by urgent.news from IOL's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
