Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, has made it clear that he is not interested in taking on any other ministerial portfolios, including Home Affairs and the Police Ministry. He declared his commitment to his current role at the funeral of the late actress Connie Chiume on Thursday.
"If President Cyril Ramaphosa calls me tomorrow and says to me, 'You can have Home Affairs or the Police Ministry', I will nicely ask to remain at Sports, Arts and Culture," McKenzie said. "I want to say to artists, dancers, singers and athletes, 'change is here'."
McKenzie's declaration comes as a surprise, considering his previous interest in leading either Home Affairs or the Police Ministry. He had previously expressed this desire, stating that he wanted to use his experience as a former gangster to make a positive impact on these sectors.
However, since taking office as Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, McKenzie seems to have found a sense of purpose in his current role. He has been vocal about his plans to support the arts and culture sector, including funding for artists.
"We are changing the funding model. No person will ever receive money from the department if you do not tell us how much you're paying the actors and how many people you are going to hire. We are tired of you buying Range Rovers with the money that should go to artists," he said.
McKenzie has also been critical of those who misuse funds allocated to the arts and culture sector.
"Some of you here, when the money comes, the first thing you do is to buy Range Rovers and then come here to compete with people who have money like McKenzie. You have nothing and still come to compete with us. Then you come and swear at us on social media. The ones who called me [complaining] are the ones robbing artists. You receive millions from us, but you tell actors that you can't pay them because you haven't been paid. We are going to expose those people," he said.
McKenzie's commitment to supporting artists and athletes is evident in his recent actions. He has pledged to scour rural areas for talent and has promised to take a large contingent of athletes to the Los Angeles Olympics.
"I will make sure we take no less than 300 athletes to Los Angeles," he stated.
McKenzie's passion for his current role is clear. He believes that the government has a responsibility to support the arts and culture sector, and he is determined to make a difference in the lives of South African artists and athletes.
"This government is your government," he said to artists. "There's no shame in getting help from your government. Don't look at us bringing out the names as a source of shame because this government must help you."
McKenzie's commitment to serving in his department is unwavering. He believes that a government that is serious about empowerment must include the arts.
"Someone sent me one of the best quotes for my job, and it says, 'A government that's serious about empowerment and doesn't include the arts is not serious'. I always knew President Ramaphosa was a smart man, I never knew he was a genius. I mean, look who he made minister of sports," McKenzie said.
