Gayton Mckenzie/ Picture: X
The storm clouds are gathering around the self-proclaimed ‘Minister of Happiness’, Gayton McKenzie as various organisations, as well as some members of the public have called for his removal from cabinet.
This comes as the minister currently tops the trends list across social media platforms after his old and controversial posts have resurfaced and sparked controversy. The Patriotic Alliance (PA) leader has been labelled as the ‘mampara of the week’ throwing stones while in a glass house, and leading the charge for the cancellation of the Open Chats podcast, while harbouring a similar, problematic past.
Gayton McKenzie referred to black people as kaffirs more than once even justifying why he can use such a derogatory term.
His actions were not accidental he was unapologetically intentional about it.
He must not lie to us and say he has changed when his actions prove otherwise pic.twitter.com/a0fX6uv8ij— Melanin_Mmaps (@Melanin_Mmaps) August 8, 2025
In response to this, organisations such as Operation Dudula, as well some political parties like the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), ActionSA and the African Transformation Movement (ATM) have publicly condemned Gayton’s words and actions. They have called for his removal from office, as well as possible Equality Court Action. They highlight how the minister’s use of the word ‘kaffir’, as well as other derogatory terms is in direct opposition with the values of the country, and especially that of a minister.
After calling for the cast of Open Chats podcast to remain accountable for the problematic utterances, the public has also called for the minister to face a similar fate, in order to keep him accountable.
MEDIA RELEASE: We demand an immediate removal of Gayton McKenzie as a Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie. pic.twitter.com/o92qE4WwwQ
— Operation Dudula (@0perationDudula) August 11, 2025
The EFF’s Statement Calling for the Immediate Removal of Gayton McKenzie as Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture for his History of Hateful, Racist Remarks
-It is also the height of hypocrisy for McKenzie to demand accountability from others when he himself harbours the same… pic.twitter.com/7uV1x9Y5iI
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) August 9, 2025
🚫 Racism and the dehumanisation of any person have no place in South Africa!
We have reported Minister Gayton McKenzie to the South African Human Rights Commission for repeatedly using hateful Apartheid-era slurs to degrade and dehumanise black South Africans. pic.twitter.com/WRcQKbb58d
— ActionSA (@Action4SA) August 9, 2025
Also see: Zimbabwean cop killer, Jabulani Moyo, wanted for R150 000