Gayton McKenzie has posted a long Facebook rant about financially assisting the late actress Nandi Nyembe and her family members. The Minister of Sport, Art, and Culture is accused of failing to visit the veteran thespian, who appealed to the public for help in a video that went viral earlier this year.
The Patriotic Alliance leader has disputed the social media claims.
Nyembe died over the weekend and will be laid to rest this week. Her cause of death has not been disclosed.
GAYTON MCKENZIE ADDRESS CRITICISM ABOUT NANDI NYEMBE HELP
In a Facebook post on Thursday, 28 August, Gayton McKenzie addressed ongoing public criticism that he had failed to deliver on his promise of financially assisting the late Nandi Nyembe.
He posted: “I will not take this abuse. Upon hearing of the plight of Mom Nandi Nyembe, I immediately sent her R20 000 for food and medication. Upon her death, her children made contact, and I took the first flight out of Cape Town to visit the family and comfort them.
“The daughter told me that she is worried about the body of her mom at the mortuary. I immediately made calls, and the body was removed to the funeral parlour. Without the children asking I gave them R10 000 for cake and tea for the many visitors. I also made my driver available to drive the family everyhwere they wish to go during this difficult week. I also made another member of my team available without knowledge of funerals to assist them everyday.
Gayton added that the Department of Sport, Art and Culture would be funding Nandi Nyembe’s funeral costs.
Addressing his critics, he continued: “I now see some artists that was nowhere to be seen when [Nyembe] needed help are now everywhere where there are cameras lambasting me and telling lies”.
He added: “You can try to paint me as uncaring. But I am not the type of person who can walk away from a dire situation doing nothing whilst I have a few coins to assist.
“I can’t let these lies continue.”
I will not take this abuse
Upon hearing of the plight of Mom Nandi Nyembe I immediately send her 20 thousand rand for…
Posted by Gayton Mckenzie on Thursday 28 August 2025
HEPING DOWN AND OUT ARTISTS
According to Gayton McKenzie, Nandi Nyembe is not the only struggling artist he has helped.
The Patriotic Alliance leader claims that he sent a delegation to visit former TV actor Glen Gabela, whose dire living conditions were shown in a social media video that shocked South Africans.
Gayton claims that his team facilitated the refurbishment of Gabela’s home, which will include painting and maintaining the house, as well as ordering new furniture for the artist.
The minister added that he sent Gabela R10 000 to buy food and groceries.
He continued: “We work day and night to change the plight of creatives. Soon, they will have funeral cover and a hospital care nd policy payout for their children. We truly care, and we are tasked with changing their lives.
Gayton has also come to the aid of former soapie actor Roderick Jafhta, who revealed he was struggling to make ends meet.
‘IT’S NOT THE JOB OF GAYTON MCKENZIE TO TURN MY LIFE AROUND’
In a social media post last year, Roderick Jaftha thanked Gayton McKenzie for a monetary donation amid his financial struggle.
The former Generations actor shared: “I wish to make something crystal clear. It is not the job of Gayton McKenzie to turn my life around. That responsibility is mine. Most of us reach a point in our lives where we need a little help.
“Quite a few of you have contributed to my being able to eat, get to auditions, buy electricity, etc. I remain eternally grateful. I assure you, I am doing everything in my power to move forward, to be able to stand up again, and to be the man my family needs me to be. I’ve made mistakes in my life, and I’d like to believe I’m turning around the person I was.”
He added, “For the President [of the Patriotic Alliance], to take a moment out of what is clearly a murderous schedule, just to include me in his outreach, was enough for me. It is indicative of the leader he strives to be. I will never forget. I will always be grateful”
DO YOU THINK MINISTER GAYTON MCKENZIE SHOULD BE CRITICISED OVER THE PLIGHT OF STRUGGLING ARTISTS?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.
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