Cape Town – Minister of Sport, Arts, and Culture Gayton McKenzie has criticised both white and black South Africans for failing to uphold Nelson Mandela’s legacy.
Speaking at an event hosted by the Nelson Mandela Museum and Freedom Park Heritage Site on Thursday, McKenzie emphasised the need for schools and correctional facilities to teach Mandela’s principles to combat crime and promote reconciliation.
“… If the president calls me tomorrow and says to me you can have [the Ministry of] Police or Home Affairs, Iwill refuse because I’m at the best place in South Africa. I love this portfolio… This portfolio is a portfolio called social cohesion. We must come together as white, black in South Africa. We are one nation, we are the children of Nelson Mandela. We should not let people divide us.
“The first thing I’m going to do – every school in this country – I’m going to meet with the minister of education – should teach children about Nelson Rolinhlanhla Mandela…,” McKenzie said.
Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie reflects on his appointment to cabinet. McKenzie was speaking at the Nelson Mandela Memorial Lecture. #DStv403 pic.twitter.com/cG7DIumq3w
— eNCA (@eNCA) July 31, 2024
Reflecting on his own past, including a criminal background and subsequent forgiveness, McKenzie expressed disappointment in South Africa’s current state, claiming Mandela would be ashamed of the nation today.
“People have forgiven me because Nelson Mandela taught us forgiveness. I am the product of the kindness of strangers. I am who I am because there lived a man called Nelson Mandela,” he said.
“I went to jail and joined one of the most feared gangs [there]” – Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie delivers the Nelson Mandela Memorial Lecture.#Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/7BplLBN5zY
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) July 31, 2024
He called on all citizens to embrace Mandela’s values and revealed his commitment to donating his ministerial salary to charity as a way of giving back.
“I’m embarrassed about my life of crime. I have lived a life nobody should live. People don’t understand why I don’t take a salary as a minister. It’s because I owe this country so much, for me it’s an absolute pleasure to serve this country,” he said.
“People don’t understand why I don’t take a salary as a minister. I owe this country so much. That for me, it is an absolute pleasure to serve this country.” – Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie delivers the Nelson Mandela Memorial Lecture.#Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/zGOGrFXsD6
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) July 31, 2024
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
