Cape Town — Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, said he will make good on his promise to fund the Joshlin Smith Foundation.
When Joshlin Smith went missing in February this year, McKenzie was one of the more outspoken politicians who promised to find the young girl, who as of yet, is still missing.
When he was appointed as Minister in June, he pledged to donate his full salary to the Joshlin Smith Foundation which would help find missing children.
In a statement shared on X, McKenzie said the foundation has not yet been set up as he has focused his attention on the Department and ministry and has used his salary to fund causes close to his heart.
Gayton McKenzie: “I’m not here for money but to change the lives of our people❤
100% of my salary I’m giving it to Joslin Smith Foundation for missing children – for the duration of my stay in parliament.”🥹🫂
Minister of Police Cassper National Assembly Ndlozi #DANC Zungu Shamiso pic.twitter.com/RrhbJfYwwU
— YaseBlock B 🇸🇿 (@ThisIsColbert) June 14, 2024
“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,” McKenzie said.
He explained it was a matter that had to do with his own funds and to rush the Foundation would be a mistake.
He explained that just because the Foundation has not been registered, does not mean he was going back on his word to benefit from his ministerial salary.
Furthermore, McKenzie explained that he has led and funded the search for Joshlin since he became aware of it and he will continue to use the money to do good, with or without the Foundation.
“Once the Foundation is set up, we will also have to make sure it will enhance the good work being done, not distract from it,” he added.
He said his ministerial platform has given him a chance to reach more people and would not stop now.
“Yes, this is just the start and I’d encourage everyone who has so much to say about what I’m doing with what is, rather obviously, my own money at the end of the day, to take a deep breath and relax. I am not stealing my own salary from anyone,” he added.
He also gave a breakdown of the funds he so far donated to good causes, including R40 000 to the Kagiso Art Gallery and R60 000 to the Cheslin Kolbe Charity Auction.
— Gayton McKenzie (@GaytonMcK) November 10, 2024
According to EWN, McKenzie earns a monthly salary of around R105,000 after tax and other mandatory deductions. He has spent most of his funds on causes such as spinning events to which he’s donated over R200 000.
In response to a parliamentary question by the DA last month, Social Development Minister Sisisi Tolashe confirmed no paperwork had been submitted to register a non-profit organisation in Smith’s name.
But she added the law did not make this mandatory.
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
