R31 Million World Cup Trip: Gayton McKenzie Reveals the Full List of Travellers

• Gayton McKenzie has revealed the names of officials, lucky fans, journalists, broadcasters and influencers who formed part of South Africa’s 2026 FIFA World Cup programme
• The disclosure gives a closer look at the R31 million programme, including how much was recorded against the official delegation and 77 non-official participant records
• Several recognisable South African media and entertainment personalities feature alongside World Cup competition winners, with individual travel costs also detailed

The full list of people linked to Gayton McKenzie’s controversial R31 million FIFA World Cup programme has been revealed, putting names and individual costs behind one of the most closely scrutinised South African delegations at the 2026 tournament.

The disclosure includes government officials, lucky fans, ministerial wild-card winners, journalists, broadcasters, podcasters and influencers who formed part of the programme in Mexico and other approved destinations.

The details emerged after National Assembly member Dereleen James asked McKenzie to identify the officials and non-official participants who travelled and provide a breakdown of the associated expenses. The minister then provided a detailed list of 95 participants, although one name appears twice.

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McKenzie said the trip was part of an integrated government programme that ran from 5 to 30 June 2026. It was designed to support Bafana Bafana while also incorporating tourism promotion, cultural activities, sport diplomacy and public participation.

“The programme combined support to Bafana Bafana, the South African Legends Legacy Programme, and the eKhaya Village activations,” McKenzie said according to Newsday.

“It also involved sport diplomacy, tourism promotion, cultural programming, and public participation through the Mzansi to the World Cup Programme.”

The minister said the programme was authorised through a ministerial submission approved on 26 May 2026.

How much did the World Cup delegation cost?

McKenzie said official travel and subsistence for the 18 departmental officials amounted to R6.186 million.

The approved provision was R7.585 million, representing 81.6% utilisation and an underspend of R1.399 million.

The supplier-booked component included R3.099 million for airfare, R2.153 million for accommodation, and R409,098 for ground transport, with the remainder covering related travel expenses.

The supplied detailed table records a supplier-booked total of R5.981 million for the 18 officials, while the minister’s broader figure for official travel and subsistence was R6.186 million.

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A further R7.143 million was captured against 77 non-official participant records. The average recorded cost was R92,770 per participant.

Airfare accounted for R3.221 million and accommodation for R1.581 million.

McKenzie also addressed questions about media payments.

“No professional fees were paid to any journalist, podcaster or content creator,” he said.

Full list of the 95 listed participants

The 18 officials were:

1. Gayton McKenzie — Minister — airfare R635,999.80; accommodation R455,487; other travel R3,000; supplier-booked total R1,094,486.80
2. Dr C Khumalo — official — airfare R123,052.80; accommodation R142,976; other travel R160,078; total R426,106.83
3. C Cilliers — official — airfare R375,642; accommodation R315,445; other travel R143,603.18; total R828,427
4. T Thebehae — official — airfare R198,179.80; accommodation R120,590; other travel R1,425; total R320,194.80
5. N Pule — official — airfare R593,218.60; accommodation R122,453; other travel R3,070; total R718,741.60
6. Z Velaphi — official — airfare R128,546.80; accommodation R100,100; other travel R3,480; total R232,126.80
7. P Mokwena — official — airfare R294,703; accommodation R190,265; other travel R19,500; total R504,468.80
8. S Buhr — official — airfare R232,346.80; accommodation R54,350; other travel R800; total R287,496.80
9. G Brown — official — airfare R46,667.80; accommodation R67,540; other travel R8,670; total R122,877.80
10. V Ngobeni — official — airfare R37,898.80; accommodation R80,560; other travel R3,295; total R121,753.80
11. Y Bodhania — official — airfare R62,106; accommodation R105,697; other travel R36,604; total R204,407
12. R Lawrence — official — airfare R59,311.46; accommodation R91,680; total R150,991.46
13. S Khojane — official — airfare R181,691.80; accommodation R53,760; total R235,451.80
14. A Daweti — official — airfare R29,883.80; accommodation R31,080; other travel R2,710; total R63,673.80
15. K Mosounyane — official — airfare R28,793.80; accommodation R32,695; other travel R2,710; total R64,198.80
16. M Davids — official — airfare R37,460.80; accommodation R25,020; total R62,480.80
17. V Campbell — official — airfare R223,734.80; accommodation R78,630; other travel R1,970; total R304,334.80
18. N Hendricks — official — airfare R33,586.80; accommodation R84,740; other travel R8,274; total R126,600.80

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Lucky fans and ministerial wild-card winners

1. Adam Mthombeni — Lucky Fan — R88,479.47
2. Ndumiso Zondi — Lucky Fan — R94,822.87
3. Vennentious Motswi — Lucky Fan — R89,497.03
4. Mamello Constance Makha — Lucky Fan — R103,399
5. Konelo John Tahlo — Lucky Fan — R99,618.33
6. Ntombeziningi Happiness Dumakude — Lucky Fan — R103,444.64
7. Sebe Hansford Thusi — Lucky Fan — R93,090.78
8. Bonakele Hlengiwe Nzuza — Lucky Fan — R88,479.47
9. Tshegofatso Sello — Lucky Fan — R98,139.47
10. Nicky Seroke Mokone — Lucky Fan — R99,092.59
11. Hlekulani Eleck Sono — Lucky Fan — R100,850.71
12. Salmaan Khan — Lucky Fan — R96,052.91
13. Adam Schlosberg — Lucky Fan — R68,143.57
14. Thaven Pillay — Lucky Fan — R85,529.95
15. Keitumetse Pretty Mabi — Lucky Fan — R79,624.47
16. Xolelwa Khwanini — Lucky Fan — R92,664.07
17. Kgotlelelo Makofane — Lucky Fan — R96,027.15
18. Katlego Simon Malatji — Lucky Fan — R100,850.71
19. Obakeng Mokgara — Lucky Fan — R88,479.47
20. Nkululeko Nkewu — Ministerial Wild Card winner — R100,850.71
21. Justice Mhlaba Tshabalala — Ministerial Wild Card winner — R100,844.27
22. Junior Thabo Khanye — Ministerial Wild Card winner — R98,139.47
23. Masilu Junius Machaka — Ministerial Wild Card winner — R97,385.99
24. Bongani Benedict Vilakazi — Ministerial Wild Card winner — R93,734.51
25. Sahil Ebrahim — Ministerial Wild Card winner — R87,646.62
26. Langa Botha Msila — Ministerial Wild Card winner — R101,513.56
27. Frank Thami Ramaila — Ministerial Wild Card winner — R96,052.91
28. Norika Naidoo — Ministerial Wild Card winner — R86,071.43
29. Michael Morton — Ministerial Wild Card winner — R94,798.93
30. Nishai Kooverjee — Lucky Fan — R74,276.23
31. John Ngcobo — Lucky Fan — R93,309.01
32. Nkanyiso Oliver Ndlovu — Lucky Fan — R96,368.01
33. Zolani Vuma — Lucky Fan — R97,484.70
34. Faheem Moolla — Lucky Fan — R73,942.86
35. Moratuwa Dibakwane — Lucky Fan — R88,372.10
36. Yolisa Mtumtum — Lucky Fan — R104,470.60
37. Bhonqolethu Tobela — Lucky Fan — R90,438.05
38. Arthur Henry Bacchus — Lucky Fan — R90,228.11
39. Daniel du Preez — Lucky Fan — R89,099.14
40. Rory Petzer — Lucky Fan — R97,722.35
41. Innocent Khanyile — Lucky Fan — R108,584.69
42. Nikita Doorgha — Lucky Fan — R24,226.54
43. Tebogo Ntetshe — Lucky Fan — R102,476.11
44. Manuel Ngobeni — Lucky Fan — R102,267.07
45. Emilio Hartogh — Lucky Fan — R104,072.50
46. Thando Ntshumeni — Lucky Fan — R99,121.72
47. Edwin Mothunzi — Lucky Fan — R106,807.23

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Journalists, broadcasters, podcasters and influencers

1. Robert Marawa — 947 FM panel chairperson — R93,889.07
2. Velile Mnyandu — SABC Sport adjudicator — R79,624.47
3. Seipati Monono Seoke — Lesedi FM adjudicator — R92,317.71
4. Pitsi Vincent Matlou — sports photographer/adjudicator — R89,883.39
5. Motseki Leine — Lesedi FM adjudicator — R87,346.03
6. Sakina Khumalo (Kamwendo) — SABC — R84,022.99
7. Aphiwe Honono — SABC — R89,883.39
8. Ronewa Clarence Musandiwa — SABC — R93,729.36
9. Megan Terese Lubke — SABC — R84,022.99
10. Bohemia Jumatt — Die Papier — R95,172.96
11. Kgomotso Mokoena — Sunday World — R92,317.71
12. Lehlaga Mahlatse Mphahlele — Sunday Times/TimesLIVE — R81,736.79
13. Justin Bernard Ford — eNCA — R95,172.96
14. Stacey Holland — Independent Media — R103,216.45
15. Vuyo Macoba — Newzroom Afrika — R107,326.69
16. Siyasanga Monoalibe — Sunday World — R107,326.69
17. Siphiwe Mbata — Ama Fans Wethu — R107,326.69
18. Talente Molekoa — Ama Fans Wethu — R102,378.20
19. Thabo Mbata — Ama Fans Wethu — R107,029.17
20. Daniel Nyembe — Ama Fans Wethu — R107,326.69
21. Jamie Gerry Gounden — sports podcaster — R98,306.91
22. Peadon Devante Smith — podcaster/Good Hope FM — R95,172.96
23. Luciaan Godfrey — Cinematic Edge Studio — R95,218.12
24. Jean-Pierre Fouche — Cinematic Edge Studio — R95,218.12
25. Shanique Melissa Godfrey — Cinematic Edge Studio — R95,218.12
26. Izaiah Carelse — podcaster — R113,482.05
27. Vafa Naraghi — influencer/comedian — R73,117.11
28. Kayla Kim Meiring — influencer/entrepreneur — R92,388.55
29. Vafa Naraghi — influencer/comedian — R35,441.08
30. Larnelle Lewies — food influencer — R82,086.74

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What the figures show

The 77 non-official records covered a wide range of participants. The group included competition winners, media workers, broadcasters, podcasters and influencers.

The largest individual amount among the listed non-official records was R113,482.05 for podcaster Izaiah Carelse. Innocent Khanyile was recorded at R108,584.69, while several other participants were above R107,000.

At the other end of the list, Nikita Doorgha had a recorded cost of R24,226.54.

The figures therefore varied considerably, with McKenzie explaining that costs depended on factors including itineraries, destinations and deployment periods.

The minister said the programme was not limited to attending football matches. It was designed to combine sporting support with diplomatic, tourism, cultural and public-participation activities.

The detailed disclosure gives a clearer picture of the people attached to the programme and the expenditure recorded against their participation.

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Source: Briefly News