Julius Malema’s Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have called for the immediate removal of Gayton McKenzie as Minister of Sports, Arts & Culture following the resurfacing of a long history of hateful, racist, and dehumanising remarks he has made about black people.
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In a series of now viral tweets, McKenzie referred to black people using the derogatory and apartheid-era slur “kaffir”, describing them as having no ambition beyond “collecting cattle to buy a wife” and living in “indolence and nakedness,” a quote he attributed to Gandhi who was known for his racist sentiments.
In other posts, he claimed that terms such as “tenderpreneur” and “Black Diamond” merely mean “a better kaffir,” reinforcing the idea that black people are inferior and deserving of insult regardless of their achievements. Furthermore, he called our fellow Africans “ape looking women.”
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‘Deeply harmful’
The EFF claimed in a statement on Saturday that “these are not minor lapses or slips of the tongue, they are deliberate, repeated, and deeply harmful expressions of anti-Black prejudice.
“They mirror the historical language of white supremacists and apartheid apologists, and they reopen the wounds of generations who have been dehumanised in their own land.
“The removal of Renaldo Gouws following his racist remarks set a clear precedent: those who openly degrade black people should have no place in leadership, especially in positions that require engagement with diverse communities.
“McKenzie’s words have the same impact, if not worse, because they come from a coloured man weaponising the language of the oppressor against black people.”
‘Demand accountability’
The EFF added that “it is also the height of hypocrisy for McKenzie to demand accountability from others
when he himself harbours the same hateful attitudes.
“Recently, when podcasters on “Open Chats” made offensive remarks about coloured people – calling them “incestuous” and “crazy” – McKenzie expressed outrage, opened a case against them, and demanded a public apology.
“While he was right to be offended by prejudice directed at his community, this double standard strips him of any moral or ethical standing to lead on issues of non-racialism and social cohesion.
“It is important to note that these remarks were made years after his release from prison, demonstrating that he is not “rehabilitated” as he claims.
“His words prove that his outlook remains rooted in division, hate, and disdain for the very people he now
claims to serve.
“As the EFF we have consistently called attention to the risks of employing former gang members and criminals into positions of power, and we are unfortunately consistently vindicated every time McKenzie opens his mouth.”
‘Condones racism’
The EFF went on to add that “the Ministry of Sports, Arts & Culture is entrusted with promoting unity, inclusion, and pride in our diverse heritage.
“It must lead outreach to the very communities McKenzie has called kaffirs and portrayed as less than human.
“Leaving him in office sends the message that the government condones such racism, provided it comes from a politically connected individual.”
The closing, the EFF stated that it “therefore, demands immediate removal of Gayton McKenzie as Minister of Sports, Arts & Culture and a public apology to all black South Africans for his repeated
use of racial slurs and degrading stereotypes.
“South Africa cannot claim to be building a non-racial and equal society while entrusting leadership positions to individuals who have, without shame, demeaned the humanity of black people. Accountability must apply to all.”
Should Gayton McKenzie be removed for what he tweeted?
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