Cape Town – Sport, Arts, and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie has pledged to reimburse Jo-Ane van Dyk’s parents for their personal expenses in supporting her Olympic javelin silver medal campaign.
Van Dyk, who competed in Paris without official backing, saw her parents fund her journey after her studies.
McKenzie assured that every cent spent will be returned to them, acknowledging that her father incurred debt to support her.
“This morning [Tuesday] I spoke to Jo-Ane van Dyk.
“She is everywhere in the media complaining her parents had to use their last money to get her there. I had a long chat and listened to her and I promise we are going to make sure we give her father his money back.
Sport Minister Gayton Mckenzie says the department will reimburse the parents of Olympic javelin silver medalist Jo-Ane van Dyk. pic.twitter.com/hsSxzEBd8e
— Mahlatse Mphahlele (@BraMahlatse) August 13, 2024
“I am told her father put himself in debt and I commit today publicly the department should give him his money back because that investment paid off,” said McKenzie.
He added: “As a minister, I am happy to do those things and not to send people there to go to find love. We are not, ‘all we need is love’ — love is a beautiful thing but not at our expense.”
Van Dyk revealed that she had to rely on personal and family funds due to inadequate official support.
[Live] Olympic Silver medalist Jo-Ane Van Dyk on Radio 2000 has just told us that she is self funded and has had to rely on her parents fiancially without any support from SASCOC. pic.twitter.com/24bStSXuF8
— Mosibudi Rachel M (@rachysuperstar) August 11, 2024
“I have been supported by my parents because they also believed in me and they were believing in the passion that I have.
“It was quite difficult. It’s difficult when everybody else is moving on with their lives and earning salaries and I’m just here, just trying and still trying,” said Van Dyk, who didn’t want to quit the sport without giving her best,” Times Live quoted the 26-year-old as saying.
McKenzie, in response to Van Dyk’s struggles, apologised for past shortcomings and vowed to improve financial support for athletes.
“This nonsense will not happen under my watch,” McKenzie said when responding to Van Dyk’s story.
This nonsense will not happen under my watch. I wanna profusely apologise to all athletes that experienced same.
You have my absolute word that things will be much different and better for out athletes in future.
The stories by the hockey fraternity will drive you 2 real tears https://t.co/sAXRP6HNJ3— Gayton McKenzie (@GaytonMcK) August 11, 2024
“I want to profusely apologise to all athletes who experienced the same. You have my absolute word that things will be different and better for our athletes in the future.”
The minister recently also announced a halt to government funding for superfans’ travel expenses, reallocating those funds to support athletes and artists.
I have stopped all trips for super fans, we have athletes & artist who are struggling to raise money to attend sporting events and exhibitions, how do we justify paying for fans? We shall no longer be paying for these trips and will use that money where it’s needed the most.
— Gayton McKenzie (@GaytonMcK) July 9, 2024
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
