Cape Town – Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie has come under fire after offering free tickets to Travis Scott’s Johannesburg concert this weekend.
In a social media post, McKenzie called himself the “minister of happiness” and invited followers to claim tickets — a move that sparked backlash from South Africans who accused him of misusing public funds and neglecting local arts and sports development.
“As the minister of happiness, I’ve got some tickets for you, hit us up on socials for Travis Scott tickets,” he said.
Travis Scott tickets up for grabs 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🕺🏽🕺🏽🕺🏽🕺🏽🕺🏽🕺🏽🕺🏽🕺🏽🕺🏽🕺🏽🕺🏽🕺🏽🕺🏽🕺🏽🕺🏽🕺🏽🕺🏽 pic.twitter.com/0FIKitEPVj
— Gayton McKenzie (@GaytonMcK) October 9, 2025
Critics argued that government resources should support homegrown talent rather than international acts.
Meanwhile, social media has been flooded with fans reselling Travis Scott tickets, with some hoping to profit and others expressing safety concerns due to memories of the deadly 2021 Astroworld tragedy.
Take a look at some of the reactions on social media
these aren’t considered free tickets if their purchase was facilitated, using money i was taxed. don’t piss me off.
— reinhilde (@reaschwarz) October 9, 2025
Kids who dream to become soccer players don’t have facilities to practice yet here you are giving free tickets to an American rapper🤷♂️
— Jake Romani (@Jake_Romani_) October 9, 2025
Why are people selling theirs though? pic.twitter.com/JxGsiMWDuF
— Mrs_Kat (@Kat4Kubs) October 9, 2025
We don’t want Travis Scott tickets …WE WANT SPORTING FACILITIES IN TOWNSHIPS AND RURAL AREAS TO BE RESTORED …WE WANT OUR LOCAL ARTS & CULTURE TO BE PROMOTED NOT AMERICAN CULTURE ‼️
— KaMthembu🇿🇦 (@Sneakerchef_05) October 9, 2025
How about Bafana Bafana tickets 🤷🏾♂️ Patriotism leadership
— Radio & Club Dj🇿🇦 (@TboyMP) October 9, 2025
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
