Who is Gayton McKenzie? Age, son, wife, house, organisation founded, contacts

Gayton McKenzie is a South African politician and the Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture in the Government of National Unity (GNU). He has held this position since July 2024. Besides being a South African minister, who is Gayton McKenzie? He is also a motivational speaker, author, and avid businessman.

Key takeaways

• Gayton McKenzie is currently serving as Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture in the Government of National Unity as of May 2025.
• He became prominent in the early 2000s after being involved in a prison exposé.
• The political leader spent eight years in jail from age 21 for armed robbery.

Profile summary

Who is Gayton McKenzie?

Gayton McKenzie is a famous businessman, politician, motivational speaker, and author. He is believed to be among South Africa's multimillionaires.

McKenzie is the sitting Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture in the Government of National Unity (GNU). He assumed this position in July 2024.

How old is Gayton McKenzie?

Gayton McKenzie's age is 51 years as of 2025. He was born on 10 March 1974, and his Zodiac sign is Pisces.

Gayton McKenzie's family background

Both Gayton McKenzie's parents are deceased. His mother was the late Louisa McKenzie. The South African politician was raised in the Heidedal neighbourhood of Bloemfontein.

Following her demise, Kenny Kunene, a South African businessman, politician, motivational speaker, teacher, activist, and convicted criminal, took to social media to make the announcement.

This week we lost our Mother @g_xcon Gayton Mckenzie's Mom, Louisa Mckenzie. We are all saddened by her passing as she was the pillar of our strength, caring n loving. In prison she didn't bring food just for Gayton but many of us who were close to G.

Just last year we were celebrating her 70th Birthday. The funeral service will be this Sunday. Details of the funeral are on the second slide. May her soul rest in peace.

Gayton McKenzie's qualifications

When Gayton McKenzie was announced as the Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture in the Government of National Unity, people questioned his qualifications. In 2022, Gayton took to X (formerly Twitter) to say:

I have no problem being asked 4 my ID or where I am from. I was born in Pelenomi Hospital, attended Olympia Primary school, Heatherdale Secondary school, all in Bloemfontein, the first time I visited Zim was on holiday in 2006. All accusing me of being here illegally pls do same👊🏽.

What is Gayton McKenzie known for?

Gayton is known for being a politician, author, motivational speaker, and businessman. His life has had rough patches in the past. He is a former convicted criminal who reformed in prison.

The famous politician admitted that he knew he would become a criminal at a young age.

I already knew that I would be a criminal at the age of 8; that was my choice, and that’s how I got involved. I robbed my first bank just before I turned 16. Then I was a fully-fledged gangster. I was one of the most wanted guys. I spent my whole youth in jail after being sentenced to 17 years.

He changed his life after witnessing an underage prisoner undergoing sexual abuse. He became one of the Grootvlei Four who exposed widespread corruption at the Bloemfontein prison.

The prison exposé led to his early release amid an investigation of prison corruption by the Jali Commission of Inquiry. After being released, he ventured into business, motivational speaking, and politics.

Why was Gayton McKenzie imprisoned?

Gayton McKenzie was imprisoned after getting caught in possession of a gun in two separate incidents and was sentenced to years in prison. During his sentence, he tried to show the world the kind of illegal activities the wardens were carrying out at the Grootvlei Prison in the Free State.

The wardens were filmed supplying hard substances and alcohol and even giving prisoners a loaded pistol to use in an escape. Together with three other inmates, they filmed the corruption and aired it on television. He was released in 2003.

Business exploits

The famous politician owns diamond mines in South Africa and Zimbabwe. While the list of Gayton McKenzie's companies is yet to be revealed, it is known that he runs a diversified business with interests in restaurants, hotels and venues, logistics and transport, imports, energy, mining, entertainment and events, publishing, and farming.

Motivational speaking

The famous politician used his life story of reform during apartheid to build his career as a motivational speaker. He started by visiting schools and other institutions of higher learning in South Africa and giving his inspirational talks while being sponsored by a security company. Today, Gayton McKenzie is a respected motivational speaker.

What is Gayton McKenzie's book called?

McKenzie is also an established author. Some of his books have been bestsellers in South Africa. Some of his book titles are listed below.

• The New Testament
• A Hustler's Bible
• Kill Zuma By Any Means Necessary
• Trapped
• The Uncomfortable Truth
• The Choice: The Gayton McKenzie Story

Who is the founder of PA party in South Africa?

On 30 November 2013, McKenzie launched the Patriotic Alliance political party and became its first president. He started the political party with the help of Kenny, who was once called the King of Sushi.

McKenzie and Kenny come from the Free State and have also been convicted of crimes in the past. Towards the end of April 2014, Gayton wrote a highly critical open letter to Economic Freedom Fighters president Julius Malema, which gained widespread attention.

The primary criticism focused on the character of Malema, who he accused of not being a real revolutionary. Malema dismissed the letter.

Between 11 April 2022 and 2 May 2023, Gayton served as the Executive Mayor of the Central Karoo District Municipality. Gideon Petersen was his deputy.

Who is the Minister of Sports and Rec in South Africa?

President Cyril Ramaphosa appointed Gayton McKenzie as the Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture in July 2024. This also made him a Member of the National Assembly of South Africa.

Gayton McKenzie's net worth and salary

McKenzie's net worth remains unknown but he has made significant wealth from his political and business careers. According to IOL, Gayton McKenzie's salary as a minister is R2.6 million per annum.

In June 2024, the politician and businessman promised to donate his parliamentary salary to the Joshlin Smith Foundation. He wrote on X,

I am giving 100 percent of my parliamentary salary to a charity that is looking for missing children. I will also make substantial donations to the charity besides my salary contribution. I hope this settles the ‘he is there for the perks and salary.

He later added, as per Times Live, while responding to criticisms five months later.

The Joshlin Smith Foundation does not yet exist, because we want to make sure we get it right and don’t just do it to please the members of other political parties who think this matter has anything to do with them.

It is a private, personal matter, relating to my own funds and what I choose to do with my own money. I am not stealing my own salary from anyone, people.

Gayton McKenzie's contact details

As the Minister of Sport, Arts, and Culture, you can reach him through:

• Telephone number: 021 403 2911
• Email address: gmckenzie@parliament.gov.za

Who is Gayton McKenzie's wife?

Gayton is a divorced man. He was married to Nicolette Joubert. The two got married in 2003 and have since parted ways. Mckenzie is a father of eight.

Where is Gayton McKenzie's private jet?

While McKenzie is a multimillionaire, there are no public records of him owning a jet. He has travelled in a private jet before, but its ownership details remain unknown.

Trivia

• In 2024, Gayton McKenzie was criticised for his xenophobic and anti-immigration comments. This came after he questioned Chidimma Adetshina's right to contest the Miss South Africa contest.
• He was once a nightclub owner.
• Gayton excelled at school and was a promising athlete.
• He says his love for giving is his way of repaying his debt to society for past crimes.
• He once called Julius Malema the biggest thief he ever met.

Who is Gayton McKenzie? He is a South African minister who rose from being a convicted criminal to his current position. His story continues to encourage many and give hope to the youth.

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Source: Briefly News