JOHANNESBURG – It's a story straight out of a Hollywood script: a former gangster and bank robber, who once spent seven years behind bars, now sits in the plush offices of South Africa's Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture. Gayton McKenzie, the leader of the Patriotic Alliance (PA), has defied the odds and carved his own path to power, becoming a symbol of both controversy and ambition in South Africa's political landscape.
McKenzie's journey is a whirlwind of contradictions. From his early life as a hardened criminal, robbing his first bank before the age of 16, to his transformation into a motivational speaker, author, and businessman, his story is one of both redemption and resilience. "I might have had 12 rand in my pocket but I had billion rand in my mind," he declared in a 2013 interview with the SABC, highlighting his unwavering ambition.
He rose to prominence alongside his soulmate from prison, Kenny Kunene, who earned the infamous nickname "Sushi King" after a lavish birthday party featuring sushi served on the bodies of scantily clad women. Together, they ventured into various businesses, from mining in Zimbabwe to nightclubs in South Africa, but their ventures were not without their share of controversies.
McKenzie's foray into politics began in 2013 when he launched the PA, with Kenny Kunene as his deputy. The party's rise has been marked by its unapologetically bold approach, epitomised by its signature slogan, "Ons baiza nie" (We are not scared). This bravado, coupled with its focus on the concerns of the coloured community, resonated with voters, securing the PA 2% of the national vote and a more impressive 8% in the Western Cape provincial elections.
"For the first time there is coloured people also going to parliament through the Patriotic Alliance," McKenzie declared after the election results were announced, highlighting the party's representation of a community often overlooked in South African politics.
Political analyst Kagiso Pooe attributes McKenzie's success to his "bravado" style, which resonates with his constituency. "People want to believe and see someone that comes from their type of background and isn’t shy to say: 'This is who I am.' You see it with people like President Zuma, President Trump and other such personalities," Pooe explained.
McKenzie's campaign against undocumented migrants, waged under the slogan "Abahambe" (Let them go), also proved to be a vote-winner. He even staged a publicity stunt at the border with Zimbabwe, chasing away people attempting to enter South Africa. However, his stance drew criticism for being xenophobic, with critics pointing out the hypocrisy of his previous statements praising the economic contributions of African immigrants.
During the coalition government negotiations, McKenzie publicly declared his desire for his deputy to head the Home Affairs Ministry, responsible for immigration, while he sought the Police Ministry, arguing that his past life as a gangster made him uniquely qualified to tackle South Africa's high crime rate. "None of them [other politicians] are equipped to deal with the mafias, with the murder rates we are seeing. South Africa needs me," he was quoted as saying by the TimesLive news site.
While he didn't secure the coveted Police Ministry, McKenzie's appointment as Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture has sparked both curiosity and concern. He has promised to use his position to empower youth through sport, stating, "Sport can be used to change children's lives. A child in sport is a child out of court." He even went so far as to declare his intention to make car spinning a major sport in South Africa, a statement that has been met with amusement and bewilderment in equal measure.
McKenzie's journey from gangster to minister is a testament to the complexities of South African society. His rise to power reflects the aspirations and anxieties of a nation grappling with issues like crime, inequality, and immigration. Whether his tenure as Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture will be marked by success or controversy remains to be seen.
