‘Racism shall never find a place under my watch’ – McKenzie on Book Fair controversy

Gayton McKenzie

Cape Town – Sports, Arts, and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie has denied allegations that he filled South Africa’s delegation to the Havana International Book Fair with his political allies.

In a Facebook post, McKenzie defended his decision to revise the original list of writers and poets, insisting that he sought greater racial inclusion by ensuring Coloured and White participants were included.

City Press reported that McKenzie ignored established literary figures in favour of Patriotic Alliance (PA) promoters and pro-Israeli clerics.

However, McKenzie dismissed these claims, saying he barely knew anyone on the final list and rejecting accusations of political favouritism.

“My crime was wanting inclusion I received a list that I am supposed to sign for writers and poets to go to Cuba, I am the final signatory as the minister at [the] department of sport, arts and culture,” the minister wrote.

“I took one look at that list and told the Acting Director General, Chief of Staff & my spokesperson that I wanna see more inclusion, I want clear that it should have Coloured & White people also. I will never be ashamed of my instruction.
“I have previously met only two people on that list and I met them once, I don’t have not a singles person phone number on that list, I don’t know the majority of those writers & poets, mine was looking for inclusion.
“I can pull you previous trips undertaken overseas and you will see who was excluded. I will never apologize for wanting to include all races.
Racism shall never find a place under my watch, lastly to all these politically connected writers that are complaining, your time of giving instructions to my department is over.
“I don’t care about the media, I dislike you in same manner that you dislike me. Write ehat you like, i have a million people following me on all my socials, i will get my version across anytime
“PS: These leaks are striaght from people in my department that I removed from this trip. Salute.”

 

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