Gayton McKenzie Shares How He Assisted Nandi Nyembe After Lerato Mvelase’s Attack: “Where Were You?”

• Gayton McKenzie came under fire after Lerato Mvelase publicly criticised him during Nandi Nyembe's memorial service on Thursday, 28 August 2025
• McKenzie responded with evidence on how he had helped Nandi Nyembe while she was alive and her family when she passed away
• He highlighted the work that his department is doing behind the scenes to improve the lives of artists in South Africa

Gayton McKenzie has hit back at critics, accusing him of abandoning the late Nandi Nyembe and other struggling entertainers.

McKenzie became a trending topic on Thursday, 28 August 2025, after actress Lerato Mvelase tore into him when she took to the podium during Nandi Nyembe’s memorial service. McKenzie had initially ignored the criticism, but Mvelase’s blistering attack at Nandi Nyembe’s memorial was the tipping point.

Gayton McKenzie reveals how he assisted Nandi Nyembe

Taking to his official X account on the same day, McKenzie highlighted that he was being unfairly targeted despite stepping in to assist Mam’Nyembe and other struggling entertainers. He confirmed that he donated R20,000 when Nyembe initially opened up about her financial struggles. The post was captioned:

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“I will never take this abuse and lies. Upon hearing of the dire situation of Ma Nandi Nyembe, I immediately sent her R20,000; she thanked me profusely. Upon being notified of her death, I took the first flight out of Cape Town to visit the children. I was warmly received."

He disclosed that he also assisted the Nyembe family with funeral expenses and gave her daughter R10,000. McKenzie said he facilitated the transfer of Mam’Nandi Nyembe’s body to a private mortuary.

“The daughter seemed very concerned about the body of her mom at the state morgue. I made a few calls, and the body was moved to the mortuary which will bury her. Without anyone asking me, I gave her daughter another 10k for cakes and tea for the guests who will visit the house,” McKenzie said.

Apart from monetary expenses, McKenzie provided his driver and another aide to assist the Nyembe family. He also shared that the Department of Sports, Arts, and Culture had fully covered Nyembe’s funeral expenses.

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“I made my driver available full-time until the funeral to drive them anywhere they wish to go. I also made another person available to assist the family during this difficult week. @SportArtsCultur paid for the full funeral.”

Gayton McKenzie fires back at Lerato Mvelase

In what appeared to be a direct jab at Lerato Mvelase, Gayton McKenzie questioned the absence of some of his critics when Nandi Nyembe was alive and needed medical assistance. Gayton McKenzie's response read:

“I was never asked for money by family. I offered my children’s money, not the department's money, to assist more. I can’t be told by people who only rock up when cameras are present. Where were you when she didn’t have money for medication? I did my part for someone in need.”

Gayton McKenzie also shared the work that the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture is doing behind the scenes to improve the well-being of South African artists. He shared that the work extends beyond legislative amendments.

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“We are working day and night to change the lives of artists in South Africa. For the first time, they will soon have medical care, funeral cover & inheritance for their children. We will have the Copyright Amendment Bill signed without fair use in it,” McKenzie shared.

Nandi Nyembe never received donations before her passing

Meanwhile, Briefly News reported that Nandi Nyembe's daughter, Thami Nyembe, shared that the veteran actress did not get the funds and other donations promised to her before her passing.

According to the report, Gayton McKenzie made a sizable cash donation, but he failed to fulfil a promise he made to Nyembe before her death.

Source: Briefly News