‘What are you doing?!’ – Gayton McKenzie dragged for SHEIN engagement

Gayton

Cape Town – Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, has come under fire following his meeting with global fast-fashion retailer SHEIN during South Africa Focus Week in Singapore on October 6.

The engagement, which was meant to promote South African interests abroad, instead triggered widespread criticism on social media.

Many South Africans viewed the meeting as a betrayal of the local fashion and creative industries.

According to the South African Fashion Council, fast-fashion giants such as SHEIN have been “eroding domestic markets” by flooding the country with cheap imports. “We have designers, seamstresses and small manufacturers who are struggling to compete,” a spokesperson said.

“When leaders meet with companies like SHEIN without transparent agendas, it sends the wrong message to local creators who depend on homegrown support,” the spokesperson added.

Political figures have also weighed in. Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) MP Sinawo Thambo condemned the minister’s actions, arguing that McKenzie overstepped his mandate.

“Gayton McKenzie, as Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, has no authority to engage in trade negotiations with SHEIN,” Thambo said. “We have written to the Chair of the Portfolio Committee on Trade, Industry and Competition to raise our concerns about McKenzie’s claims of negotiating trade deals on behalf of South Africa with SHEIN.”

The EFF has formally written to Mzwandile Masina, chairperson of Parliament’s Trade and Industry Committee, questioning the appropriateness of McKenzie’s engagement with the Chinese fashion giant during South Africa Focus Week.

Celebraties took it to X to call out the Minister.

“One thing Gayton is doing right is teaching the black South Africans a lesson about throwing away their votes because they like the idea of uniting in hate for people who look like them. Gayton has no principles, he does what makes him richer even if it goes against the expectations of his constituency & you guys insist on being foolish for him.”

“You cannot be this out of touch dude @GaytonMcK. Even the big, JSE listed fashion retailers globally are suffering because of Shein, Temu…. What are you doing????”

In defense, McKenzie posted on X:

“We can’t stop SHEIN from doing business in SA; we can agitate and negotiate for greater participation of the local fashion industry. We met them precisely for that reason. You guys think staying angry at companies is a solution? There is value in collaboration.”

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Compiled by Lisabeal Nqamqhele

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