Also known as: Patriotic Alliance leader Gayton McKenzie
South Africa's Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture praised Namibia's support during xenophobia accusations and oversaw repatriation of remains from South Africa.
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Windhoek Observer
Gayton McKenzie represented President Cyril Ramaphosa at the Cape Town ceremony
“South African minister of sport, arts and culture Gayton McKenzie, who represented President Cyril Ramaphosa at the Cape Town ceremony, said the South African government had been tasked with accelerating the repatriation of liberation heroes and human remains collected unethically.”
A nation’s dead finally come home: Namibia receives 86 remains from South AfricaThe Namibian
Minister Gayton McKenzie lauded Namibia as 'true brother and sister' for standing by South Africa
“South Africa's Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, has lauded Namibia as a 'true brother and sister' for standing by South Africa during a wave of accusations regarding xenophobia.”
SA minister hails Namibia as ‘true sister nation’ amid xenophobia allegationsThe Namibian
McKenzie defended South Africa's stance on asking visitors to enter with valid documentation
“He defended the stance, asserting that asking visitors to enter with valid documentation does not constitute xenophobia.”
SA minister hails Namibia as ‘true sister nation’ amid xenophobia allegationsWindhoek Observer
Gayton McKenzie will formally hand over remains to Namibia's education minister before repatriation
“The remains will be formally handed over by South African minister of sport, arts and culture Gayton McKenzie to Namibia's education minister Sanet Steenkamp before they are brought back to Namibia.”
Robben Island remains coming homeThe Namibian
Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie told the BBC that South Africa is open to migrants but they must come legitimately with their papers
“"We say South Africa is open to our brothers on the continent but come here legitimately. Come with your papers," he told the BBC's Interview programme.”
I left my wife and twins behind – why this Nigerian man fled South AfricaThe Namibian
Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie said South African football has lost one of its brightest young talents
“"South African football has lost one of its brightest young talents," he said.”
South Africa World Cup midfielder Adams dies at 25The Namibian
Gayton McKenzie said all the players had received their visas
“Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie later said all the players had received their visas, with only the assistant coach, team doctor, head of security and one analyst still awaiting clearance.”
South Africa delay World Cup trip on visa snarlThe Namibian
McKenzie called the travel and visa debacle embarrassing and grossly unfair towards the players and coaching staff
“The "travel and visa debacle is embarrassing and grossly unfair towards the players and coaching staff," he posted on X, adding: "We are being made to look like fools".”
South Africa delay World Cup trip on visa snarlThe Namibian
Culture minister Gayton McKenzie was among those paying tribute to Mazibuko on Monday
“Culture minister Gayton McKenzie was among those paying tribute to Mazibuko on Monday.”
Ladysmith Black Mambazo's ‘wise elder' dies aged 77The Namibian
Gayton McKenzie, a sitting cabinet minister and leader of the Patriotic Alliance met with the US ambassador at his official residence in Pretoria
“Within three days of that protest, Gayton McKenzie, a sitting cabinet minister and leader of the Patriotic Alliance, was at the ambassador's official residence in Pretoria for a private meeting.”
How Washington is executing a political campaign in South AfricaNamibia has received the remains of 86 Namibians from South Africa, comprising 84 ancestral human remains and the mortal remains of liberation heroes Festus Nehale and Simon Petrus Niilenge. The repatriation, following a solemn ceremony in Cape Town, has been described by the government as a historic act of restoration, dignity and national healing.
24 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Namibia has received the remains of 86 Namibians from South Africa, comprising 84 ancestral human remains and the mortal remains of liberation heroes Festus Nehale and Simon Petrus Niilenge. The repatriation, following a solemn ceremony in Cape Town, has been described by the government as a historic act of restoration, dignity and national healing.
24 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
South Africa's Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie has lauded Namibia as a "true brother and sister" for supporting South Africa during xenophobia accusations, particularly noting Namibia's backing of the South African national football team during their 2026 World Cup campaign. McKenzie defended South Africa's documentation requirements for foreign nationals, arguing that enforcing proper entry protocols does not constitute xenophobia.
22 August 2026 · The Namibian →
The remains of Festus Nehale and Simon Petrus Niilenge, former Robben Island political prisoners, are set to be exhumed in Cape Town this week, more than 50 years after their deaths. They are among 84 other Namibian human remains identified in South Africa for repatriation to Namibia, with South Africa's sport minister formally handing them over to Namibia's education minister.
11 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
A 47-year-old Nigerian businessman left his South African wife, twin children, and established car-dealership business in Johannesburg and took a voluntary repatriation flight to Nigeria in June, citing harassment and safety fears as anti-migrant protests intensified in South Africa this year.
4 August 2026 · The Namibian →
South African midfielder Jayden Adams, who played in all three of South Africa's group-stage matches at the ongoing World Cup, died Saturday at age 25. Police opened an investigation after his body was found at a house in Cape Town; the cause of death was not disclosed.
11 July 2026 · The Namibian →
South Africa's national football team postponed their departure to a Mexico training camp after visa problems delayed some players and officials. The Sports Minister said all players had received visas, but the assistant coach, team doctor, head of security and one analyst were still awaiting clearance.
31 May 2026 · The Namibian →
Albert Mazibuko, a singer in the iconic South African group Ladysmith Black Mambazo for over five decades, has died aged 77 after a short illness. The group, which won five Grammy awards and featured on Paul Simon's 1986 'Graceland' album, remembered Mazibuko as a "wise elder" and custodian of their distinctive a cappella sound.
8 April 2026 · The Namibian →
According to The Namibian, US ambassador Leo Brent Bozell III has publicly demanded that South Africa withdraw from its genocide case against Israel, abandon broad-based black economic empowerment, and repeal the Expropriation Act. The article alleges that Bozell is coordinating with AfriForum, a civil rights group, and South African politicians Gayton McKenzie and Mmusi Maimane to apply pressure on the ANC government through legal, political, and diplomatic channels.
5 April 2026 · The Namibian →
South Africa's sport minister announced plans for Namibia and Botswana to co-host the 2028 Africa Cup of Nations, but Namibia's sport minister says the country has not been approached with the proposal. Football experts warn that Namibia's stadium infrastructure is insufficient and cannot be upgraded in the required timeframe, citing delays with the Independence Stadium upgrade and lessons from the failed 2027 bid.
23 January 2026 · The Namibian →