Gayton McKenzie has offered a back-handed apology over his old tweets, in which he repeatedly used racial slurs, including the K-word.
The Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture – who is also the leader of the Patriotic Alliance – has claimed that he is “not guilty of racism”.
This follows his criticism of the hosts of the Open Chats Podcast over their comments about the coloured community.
GAYTON MCKENZIE: ‘I AM NOT GUILTY OF RACISM’
Over the weekend, countless screenshots of X [formerly Twitter] posts of Gayton McKenzie’s old racist remarks went viral. In many of them, the now-minister used the K-word, as well as other racial slurs.
Responding to the backlash, Gayton posted on his account: “I’m the son of a black woman, I have children with a black woman. I fought my whole life for the same treatment between black and coloured people because we fought the same struggle.
“Coloured people don’t enjoy the same privileges as Black people in South Africa, although we fought the same struggle. This is and has always been my fight. Coloured people are screaming out for help, but no one is hearing them.
Gayton went on to seemingly justify a few old tweets, where he claimed he “called out racism”.
‘I WAS A TROLL & STUPID’
Gayton McKenzie added that while he “can never be guilty of racism”, he did admit and apologise for other derogatory comments.
“I did tweet some insensitive, stupid, and hurtful things a decade or two ago. I was a troll and stupid. I cringe when I see them, and I am truly sorry for that.
Gayton added that he would “subject myself to the investigation”.
I can never be guilty of racism, try some other take down but never racism. I did tweet some insensitive, stupid and hurtful things a decade or two ago, I was a troll & stupid. I cringe when seeing them and I am truly sorry for that. I shall subject myself to the investigation.
— Gayton McKenzie (@GaytonMcK) August 11, 2025
SORRY NOT SORRY?
Under Gayton McKenzie’s X posts, many social media users did not accept his “apology”.
@Unahinanaye: “You are not sorry; you have been caught, and given a chance, you would repeat the same actions. Such a vile individual, you do not deserve to hold a position in public office.”
@MotsatsiRo: “You have already interfered with the investigation by deleting tweets, the crime scene is contaminated”.
@africanacademia: “You are guilty of racism. You said a lot of vile, racist, and stinking misogynistic things, and you should be removed from your position as minister.”
@StefkoolA: “Penny Sparrow was crucified for using the word ‘monkey’. Renaldo Gouws was canceled for using THAT word to garner attention to ‘kill the boer’. You, Gayton McKenzie, are NOT special. Sies.
WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON GAYTON MCKENZIE’S ‘APOLOGY’?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.
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