McKenzie closes the tap for super fans

There have been mixed reactions on social media over Minister of Sport, Arts, and Culture, Gayton McKenzie’s decision to stop all trips for super fans to attend sporting events and exhibitions.

Taking to X, the Minister says the money for that purpose could be used to address other issues.

“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.”

The move comes after some South Africans questioned super fans attending prestigious events – at the expense of taxpayers.

Mama Joy Chauke and Botha Msila are the most known super fans and have been seen at many sporting events and now recently at the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.

Minister McKenzie has vowed to ensure that resources are channeled towards those who require immediate financial support.

The super fans are normally sponsored by the department to attend local and international sporting events.

Last year, the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture came under fire for sending Mama Joy and Botha to France for the Rugby World Cup.

It later defended the decision, saying there was nothing new in that as it had supported many other South Africans to participate in arts, music and cultural events hosted on various international platforms.

 

 

It remains to be seen whether Mama Joy will manage to secure funding for the upcoming Olympics in Paris after she yesterday posted on X, with the assumption that she will be heading there.

Good Luck Team SA ,,,,, Olympics Paris 2024 pic.twitter.com/qin4h51xkM

— MamaJoy Chauke (@JoyChauke5) July 8, 2024

YNews reached out Mama Joy for comment following Minister McKenzie’s move but she declined to comment.

Some social media users support the idea of having a super fan, but others believe it’s unnecessary.

a lazy Minister who is not addressing the real issue. The marketing team has used the funds effectively, as evidenced by the constant presence of figures like Mama Joy at national games. Gayton needs to investigate why the funds meant for artists and athletes are not…

— Mrs Van (@Lulama_Majola) July 9, 2024

Lmao . 🤣 Mama Joy must rest man. I promise you, nobody is thinking about mama joy when on the field . https://t.co/RNyNL2q14r

— Weezyourrahere (@weezyourrahere) July 9, 2024

I honestly don’t support Minister Gayton McKenzie’s decision to cancel trips for our super fans. Mama Joy and others like her serve as brand ambassadors for South Africa. Their presence at international events is invaluable, not just for the players, but for us back home as well.… pic.twitter.com/Qe17lLyLRt

— Edgar Legoale 🇿🇦 (@EdgarLegoale) July 9, 2024

He is redirecting the funds to struggling athletes. Some can’t compete in events because they can’t afford to go. How do you disagree with that?

— Just Musa (@musa_mansa) July 9, 2024

I personally think Mama Joy is great, but we can’t pretend that it’s ok to send her on joy rides around the world while sports men & women are having to work double jobs just to raise enough funds to represent South Africa in their given sport.

We need to get the basics right…

— The Kiffness (@TheKiffness) July 9, 2024

The first task was to make sure our Olympics participants are sorted and that are ready but we focus on Mama Joy? Our problems are many

— Naphtally Phasha (@Naphtallyjack) July 9, 2024

People are celebrating Gayton’s decision just because they know aboMama Joy are black. Black people are always jealous towards other black people. If super fans were white, they wouldn’t even bother. We are a disgrace!!!

— Sikholiwe Zwane (@Mangethe_Omnyam) July 9, 2024

McKenzie has hit the ground running in his new portfolio even issuing an instruction to his officials to publish a list of all artists, creatives and sports people who have been receiving money from the department.

He described the instruction as a bid to end the so-called unfair benefitting of certain politically connected people from the department.

If you did nothing wrong or didn’t benefit untowardly you have no reason to fear, I have given a clear instruction that the public be made aware of the people that got funding, today! I was shocked when I realised how many complaining artist are receiving money from DSAC.

— Gayton McKenzie (@GaytonMcK) July 9, 2024

The Minister has also vowed to use his salary to give back to the community.

On Monday, he said he would donate his first salary to an art gallery in Krugersdorp.

A thread: I was deeply touched when the DM @SportArtsCultur told me abt the plight of artist in Kagiso, I couldn’t believe that they managed to keep this gallery open despite the many obstacles. It is truly a heartbreaking afternoon for me. pic.twitter.com/hGWkzE7Msn

— Gayton McKenzie (@GaytonMcK) July 7, 2024

McKenzie has wished the country’s athletes well as they head to Paris for the Olympic games in July and Paralympics in August.

With only 51 days to go to the Paris Paralympic Games, the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc) announced an initial squad of 26 to represent Team SA.

The 2024 Paralympic Games will take place from 28 August to 8 September in Paris.

The 26 athletes announced on Monday represent seven different sporting codes, and the squad is made up of a mixture of experienced and first-time Paralympians, including three medalists from Tokyo Paralympics.