Gayton McKenzie under attack

The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) and the Democratic Alliance (DA) have attacked Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie over problems linked to his department.

The VF Plus said McKenzie’s decision to approve name changes in the Eastern Cape as proof that limited public funds are wasted on misguided priorities.

Heloïse Denner, Freedom Front Plus MPL and chief spokesperson: Sport, Arts and Culture, said his department has approved 21 geographical name changes.

These include changing the name of East London to KuGompo City and Graaff-Reinet to Robert Sobukwe Town.

“However, he refused to provide the funds needed for hosting the international Corona Open J-Bay surfing competition in Jeffreys Bay,” she said.

“This world-class event serves as a major annual economic injection for the Eastern Cape through tourism, job creation and international exposure.”

She argued that the cancellation of the 2026 J-Bay surfing competition is the direct result of the Department’s refusal to provide the necessary funds.

“While millions are spent on symbolic name changes that divide communities, a proven economic driver such as the J-Bay Open is sacrificed,” she said.

“This decision is part of a broader pattern where ideology and symbolic transformation are prioritised above practical economic growth and job creation.”

Denner questioned the legitimacy of the process used to justify these name changes, as most residents were clearly opposed to it.

“The party will take steps to ensure the communities’ voices are heard and that the Department is held accountable for its spending of public funds,” she said.

“In a time of record-high unemployment, poverty and a struggling economy, South Africa cannot afford to waste money on controversial name changes.”

The DA is investigating Gayton McKenzie

Leah Potgieter, the DA’s Spokesperson on Sports, Arts and Culture, said the party is investigating McKenzie’s failure regarding the Corona Open in Jeffreys Bay.

“This was not the sudden withdrawal of an existing grant, but something more damaging,” she said in a press statement.

“Commitments were allegedly made to the World Surf League and local stakeholders that national government support would be forthcoming.”

Jeffreys Bay hosted South Africa’s only Championship Tour surf event for several years, with the WSL historically carrying a significant portion of the financial burden.

Despite this long-standing partnership and repeated assurances that government support would be secured, no national commitment ultimately materialised.

“As a result, New Zealand has now taken over this coveted Championship Tour stop,” Potgieter said.

She said this failure has real consequences, including stripping the Eastern Cape of a flagship international sporting attraction.

This event drove tourism, sustained local businesses, and supported jobs across the region, equating to approximately R150 million in economic impact.

“The DA does not accept that the Minister’s public engagements and behind-the-scenes assurances do not translate into action once the spotlight fades,” she said.

In this case, stakeholders were left exposed, the WSL was left without certainty, and South Africa lost a globally recognised event as a direct result.

Potgieter said the DA will pursue full transparency from Minister Gayton McKenzie and his Department.

“We will not allow the quiet loss of one of South Africa’s most iconic sporting events to be brushed aside,” she said.

Gayton McKenzie responds

McKenzie dismissed allegations that he or his department was to blame for the loss of the World Surf League (WSL) Corona Open in Jeffreys Bay.

He explained that hosting an international sporting event in South Africa requires cabinet approval. It cannot be done by the Minister of Sport.

“For the cabinet to approve an event, somebody needs to apply to the Minister, who will take it to the cabinet,” he explained.

He argues that nobody applied to have him take the World Surf League Corona Open in Jeffreys Bay to the cabinet.

“They never applied, and they dropped the ball. Now they want to blame me,” McKenzie said in an SABC News interview.

He accused the DA of orchestrating the action against him, as they want to divert attention from their recent political loss in a George by-election.

Earlier this month, McKenzie’s Patriotic Alliance (PA) won both by-elections held in George, beating the DA in Wards 17 and 27.

The DA performed significantly worse than in previous years, which signalled a shift from the DA to the PA.

“The DA blamed me for the J-Bay Open because they want to take attention away from their biggest loss in history in George,” he said.

He added that he gave R800,000 to surfing in South Africa. “They must not come and play politics in my portfolio,” he said.

“The PA has beaten the DA, and we will beat them again in round two in George. The DA should not mix politics with my department.”