Cape Town — Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, says the government should work hard to improve ties between South Africa and the USA.
McKenzie’s comments come after the US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, said he would not be at the G20 Summit amid the threats made by US President Donald Trump to cut all funding to South Africa.
“I will NOT attend the G20 summit in Johannesburg. South Africa is doing very bad things. Expropriating private property. Using G20 to promote “solidarity, equality, & sustainability.” In other words: DEI and climate change. My job is to advance America’s national interests, not waste taxpayer money or coddle anti-Americanism,” he wrote on X.
I will NOT attend the G20 summit in Johannesburg.
South Africa is doing very bad things. Expropriating private property. Using G20 to promote “solidarity, equality, & sustainability.” In other words: DEI and climate change.
My job is to advance America’s national interests, not…
— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) February 5, 2025
In response to Rubio, McKenzie said it was important that South Africa tried its best to “resolve” all issues with the US and wanted to clear the air regarding Trump’s comment about South Africa.
“We should try by all means to restore ties with the US government, but let us open our eyes and minds. Let’s make good use of our minerals and extract the maximum benefit for our people,” McKenzie said.
“I see some call me an a*** licker, as a leader of people, I would lick a*** if it means I keep my people alive and in jobs,” McKenzie said.
According to TimesLIVE, South Africa sold more than R120 billion worth of goods to the US under AGOA in 2024. This included support to the automotive industry, agriculture and mining.
The US also committed to assist South Africa with $440 million (R8.1 billion) in assistance to South Africa, with 17% of that figure going towards South Africa’s HIV/AIDS programme, which the US said it would stop funding.
We should try by all means to restore ties with the US Government but let us open our eyes and minds, let’s make good use of our minerals, let us extract maximum benefit for our people. I see some call me an arse licker, as a leader of people, I would lick my arse if it means I keep… https://t.co/fxYMzdalCA
— Gayton McKenzie (@GaytonMcK) February 6, 2025
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Picture: X/@SportArtsCultur
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
