Cape Town – Television and radio presenter Sizwe Dhlomo has publicly called for the dismissal of Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie amid a growing scandal over resurfaced racist comments.
The demand follows a formal complaint lodged by ActionSA with the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) concerning posts from McKenzie’s social media accounts that allegedly feature apartheid-era slurs aimed at Black South Africans.
Dear @MYANC and @CyrilRamaphosa we demand actions against your Minister Gayton McKenzie. Gayton led the charge to cancel Open Chats podcast for being racist. We are asking you remove him from cabinet for the same reasons. We know you don’t like black ppl but for once respect us. pic.twitter.com/mAW2EvjzAV
— 🇿🇦SOMAGWAZROV🇿🇦 (@Somagwaza3) August 9, 2025
ActionSA, represented in parliament by Alan Beesley, has reinforced the legitimacy of the legal process.
“The SAHRC remains the constitutionally empowered institution mandated to address such matters. We will follow the prescribed process, but are prepared to independently institute proceedings at the Equality Court if required,” Beesley stated
🚫 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.
🔗 Read more:… pic.twitter.com/wCzu449x6l
— ActionSA Gauteng (@ActionSA_GP) August 9, 2025
Herman Mashaba reposted ActionSA’s statement on X adding: “This is deeply disturbing and concerning coming from someone who is a Minister in our democratic society. I hope and strongly advise @GaytonMcK to urgently apologise.” In response, Dhlomo succinctly replied, “No, he must just get fired. End of story.”
No, he must just get fired. End of story. https://t.co/JI9kJMCGIl
— Sizwe Dhlomo (@SizweDhlomo) August 9, 2025
McKenzie has rejected the racism allegations, characterizing the backlash as politically motivated. He expressed frustration at being accused, asserting, “I never thought I would be accused of racism. In my life, I have never called anyone the K-word. This campaign is driven by the EFF and influencers. Show me the people I called the K-word.
“People are digging up posts from 11 years ago — who are the victims?”
Gayton Mckenzie; “in my entire life i have never called anybody the K-word – where’s the victims?
So for Racism to happen according to Gayton it must be a direct interaction between two individuals.
This man clearly does not understand racism, he must be released as a Minister… pic.twitter.com/MCbfPS23eJ
— Msunu ka Johann Rupert (@ZizinjaAbelungu) August 10, 2025
The African Transformation Movement (ATM) has also taken formal action to remove McKenzie, citing the offensive content as corrosive to democratic values.
[MUST READ]
URGENT REQUEST FOR INVESTIGATION AND REMOVAL OF MINISTER @GaytonMcK
FOR RACIST REMARKS AGAINST BLACK SOUTH AFRICANS.#GaytonMcKenzieMustFall pic.twitter.com/O1TxVFiquy— African Transformation Movement (@ATMovement_SA) August 9, 2025
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Picture: X/@_mashesha
Compiled by Lisabeal Nqamqhele
