Gayton McKenzie Defends Himself After Bonang Matheba Slams His Priorities
- Bonang Matheba publicly called out Minister Gayton McKenzie after he travelled to France for a film summit and a Jay-Z concert
- McKenzie revealed his plan to bring the Jay-Z30 concert experience to South Africa, which Bonang pushed back on sharply
- South Africans weighed in on the heated exchange between the media maven and the Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture
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Source: UGC
Gayton McKenzie found himself in the hot seat after Bonang Matheba publicly challenged him over his priorities as Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, and the exchange quickly turned into one of Mzansi's most-talked-about debates of the week.
On 11 September 2026, McKenzie shared that he had travelled to France for the Lumiere film summit and had been personally invited by Roc Nation to attend the Jay-Z30 concert. The Minister used the moment to announce his ambitions for South Africa, writing that he wanted local fans to experience the same cultural phenomenon and that he had "insisted" it be brought to South Africa.
Bonang, who has a long history of championing local creatives and previously clashed with late former Minister Nathi Mthethwa over similar concerns, was not having it. She fired back, questioning why the focus was on importing international acts rather than strengthening what already exists at home.
"Brought to SA? Why? What about the SAMAs? SAFTAs? The locals need money, Sir!! Let's start THERE!!"
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Gayton McKenzie defends his record
McKenzie stood his ground, insisting that spending $15 million, roughly R243.98 million, to bring a single international artist to South Africa would be "stupidity," but that failing to position the country as Africa's events capital would be equally short-sighted.
"A Minister paying $15 million to bring an artist to South Africa would be stupidity. But failing to create the conditions for SA to become Africa's events capital is equally stupid."
He also pointed to the South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTAs) as evidence of his commitment to local talent, claiming the awards ceremony received its "biggest ever" budget under his watch and signing off with "Thank you, Mam."
Many reading the exchange felt his closing remarks came across as self-congratulatory, with several commenters pointing out that investing in local culture is simply the job he was appointed to do.
Bonang responded with a measured but firm reply, bringing the conversation back to basics.
"Let's start with creating conditions IN South Africa FOR South African artists first. Respectfully, getting budgets for cultural events is literally your job!"
Source: UGC
South Africans flood the comments
Online users gathered in the comment section with their own takes on the viral back-and-forth.
KhananiShingan1 said:
"Tjo, you'd swear the money he's talking about came from his pockets."
Asisiph04657843 reminded McKenzie:
"It's your job; no one's clapping hands for you."
TheoMosaqa_ offered a more measured view:
"Minister, nobody is against international artists coming to SA. The concern is simple: are we investing in our own artists and creatives too? We can become Africa's events capital without leaving our local creative industry behind."
See the viral exchange below.
Somizi Mhlongo shows love to Bonang Matheba
In an earlier report, Briefly News shared Somizi Mhlongo's remarks about Bonang Matheba during an interview.
The Sarafina! star spoke highly of his former friend, describing her as "addictive" and someone with a talent for making people laugh.
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Source: Briefly News
