Black Twitter Calls for Gayton McKenzie’s Resignation After Past K-Word Tweets

Gayton McKenzie, a vocal critic of alleged racial comments made against coloured people, is now facing calls for his resignation over offensive remarks he previously made. Critics are urging President Cyril Ramaphosa to take action against the Sports Minister.

McKenzie was one of the most prominent voices to condemn the hosts of the Open Chats Podcast, who claimed that coloured people practice incest and are “mentally deranged.” The podcast has since issued two apologies, and McKenzie’s party, the PA, has opened a case of crimen injuria. The matter is also being investigated by the SA Human Rights Commission.

While the initial outrage over the podcast’s comments was widespread, McKenzie’s continued criticism and his claim that “coloureds and blacks are one people being treated differently mistakenly” have sparked a new controversy.

On Friday, McKenzie stated that many people were “more offended by our outrage as coloured people against the vile racism that was directed at us.” He claimed that critics were “finding excuses for these young people who hurt a whole race.”
As screenshots of McKenzie’s past social media posts began to circulate, some of which included the K-word, many users on X (formerly Twitter) labeled him a racist and demanded his resignation.

Among those calling for action was former African Transformation Movement (ATM) president and MP Vuyolwethu Zungula, who directly appealed to President Cyril Ramaphosa. Zungula tweeted, “Mr President, you appointed a minister who has publicly uttered deeply offensive and despicable words against black people. Is this really the vision of unity and inclusivity that the GNU stands for? We demand action now!”

Neither McKenzie nor the Presidency has commented on the demands.