The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has urged Parliament to investigate Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie’s meeting with global fashion retailer SHEIN. The meeting took place in Singapore on 6 October 2025 during South Africa Focus Week.
The party says the engagement raises concerns about transparency, ministerial authority, and South Africa’s trade and industrial policies.
MINISTER’S AUTHORITY UNDER SCRUTINY
In a letter to Mzwandile Masina, Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Trade, Industry and Competition, the EFF challenged McKenzie’s authority to meet with SHEIN. The party argued that matters related to trade and investment fall under the Department of Trade, Industry, and Competition (DTIC).
“South Africa’s manufacturing industries cannot afford to be undermined by uncoordinated foreign partnerships,” the letter reads.
The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) promotes South Africa’s cultural, sporting, and creative sectors both locally and internationally. The DTIC, however, oversees trade and industrial policy. The overlap between these mandates lies at the heart of the EFF’s concerns.
EFF WANTS CLARITY ON SINGAPORE MEETING
The DSAC confirmed that Minister McKenzie met with SHEIN on the margins of South Africa Focus Week, a government initiative that promotes South African business, culture, tourism, and innovation abroad. The meeting explored collaboration in sports, fashion, and creativity, and aimed to empower young designers and athletes while supporting inclusive sporting initiatives.
McKenzie praised SHEIN, a sponsor of the International Paralympic Movement, for its commitment to social impact through sport and creative partnerships. He highlighted the importance of inclusive platforms that uplift people with disabilities and help South African talent access global markets.
The EFF has asked Parliament to review the meeting. The party seeks details on attendees, discussions, and whether other departments, including the DTIC, received prior notice. It also wants confirmation that ministries coordinated commitments and has called for a joint parliamentary session to evaluate the meeting’s handling and implications.
INSIDE SHEIN’S GLOBAL OPERATION
SHEIN, founded in China and now based in Singapore, operates in over 150 countries. While popular among young consumers, the fashion retailer has faced criticism over its environmental practices and working conditions. Local manufacturers also warn that such global competition puts pressure on South Africa’s textile and clothing industries.
LOCAL MANUFACTURERS FACE NEW PRESSURES
The EFF fears uncoordinated multinational partnerships could harm local producers. It demands that engagements align with localisation and job creation policies, and seeks assurance of ministerial coordination before agreements.
