Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie’s Ticket Giveaway Met With Criticism Over Delayed VAR Rollout
- Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie gave away 200 free tickets for the Orlando Pirates vs Sekhukhune United opening match, on X and received negative feedback
- McKenzie’s promise to roll out VAR this season remains unfulfilled, drawing criticism amid ongoing issues with refereeing
- Controversy surrounds McKenzie’s family’s purchase of SuperSport United, which he denies being directly involved in, despite public speculation.
Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie handed out 200 free tickets to Orlando Pirates fans for their opening match against Sekhukhune United on Saturday, 9 August 2025.
McKenzie announced the giveaway to his followers on X, but his gesture sparked backlash from some netizens in the comments section.
Source: Twitter
How did South Africans react
@Phumlan_NN) said:
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"We will see you in the elections, sir. You let your country down. I don't need your ticket; I need you to keep your promises. You were saying 'Abahambe,' but they are still here. You said the VAR would start in April — it’s now August and still no VAR. 🤔"
(@sipho_mate) wrote:
"Give them to Cape Flats and Eldos."
(@Zwelakhe_ceo) added:
"Next thing he’ll say is there are no tickets. He made a mistake like he did with SABC."
See the tweet below:
(@KagishoKgaile) commented:
"No thanks, Meneer."
(@NtateNkhela) called him:
"Minister of Congratulations and Giving Tickets."
(@Sir_Governor99) remarked:
"Might be proceeds..."
(@sabelostormz) said:
"We don’t want tickets from a racist. We will buy them."
Source: Twitter
Fans are aggrieved by the false promise of VAR.
Since becoming Sports Minister, McKenzie has been vocal about introducing Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology to South African football. At one point, he promised VAR would be rolled out in the upcoming season, but has since delayed this timeline.
In a recent parliamentary address, he stated that his ministry is finalising funding for VAR, calling it a necessity due to poor refereeing, which has contributed to negative consequences, such as vandalism of stadiums.
He also highlighted Mamelodi Sundowns’ recent global success—particularly at the Club World Cup—as a factor that could attract more international clubs to South Africa, underscoring the need to fast-track the VAR process.
"We are also finalising the process of funding VAR to ensure that football matches, from the Premier Soccer League through to international fixtures we host, are fairer and meet global standards," he said.
McKenzie at the centre of the Supersport United sale
McKenzie was also embroiled in controversy surrounding the purchase of SuperSport United by his son, Calvin Le John.
Although he has categorically denied any direct involvement, he acknowledged in an interview with eNCA that a family member, without naming his son, “dug deep into his pockets” to buy SuperSport United.
He added that the people of Bloemfontein have been deprived of top-flight football for too long.
Sports Minister's son explains why he does not use his father's surname
Briefly News previously reported that Siwelele FC owner and Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie's son, Calvin Le John, has spoken publicly for the first time since acquiring SuperSport United in a R50 million deal.
Le John addressed speculation surrounding the purchase and explained why he does not carry his father's surname, despite recently confirming that he is indeed McKenzie's son.
Source: Briefly News
