ActionSA Outraged by Minister Gayton McKenzie’s Failure to Fund Athletics South Africa
Press Statement by Dereleen James MP
ActionSA Member of Parliament
ActionSA is outraged following revelations by the Vice President of Athletics South Africa, John Mathane, accusing the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture of not paying grants due to them.
These grants, which were supposed to have been paid by the end of June 2026 have still not been received by Athletics South Africa, leading to athletes who are going to the U20 World Athletics Championship having to pay for their own flights
This comes hot on the heels of Minister McKenzie brazenly saying “R31 million might be a lot for you, but it’s nothing for the government”. These comments and the revelations made by the Vice President seem to be contradictory and makes one wonder what the priorities of the Department are. Is it spending money on travelling and enjoying luxuries at the FIFA World Cup, or is it the development of South African sport and our finest young athletes?
This is not the first time Minister McKenzie has caused outrage through his poor spending priorities and penchant for lavish travel habits, ActionSA has continuously questioned the Minister regarding his spending habits which have run into the tens of millions since coming into office in 2024.
Millions of young South Africans dream of representing their country on the international stage, and now those that are selected to do so are facing the reality of being unable to attend due to a lack of funding support from the very same Department who spent R31 million on the FIFA World Cup.
ActionSA will engage Athletics South Africa as well as the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture to ensure these athletes are fully supported and able to participate in this important international event without having to worry about how they will get there or back.
ActionSA Outraged by Minister Gayton McKenzie’s Failure to Fund Athletics South Africa
ActionSA is outraged following revelations by the Vice President of Athletics South Africa, John Mathane, accusing the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture of not paying grants due to them.
These grants, which were supposed to have been paid by the end of June 2026 have still not been received by Athletics South Africa, leading to athletes who are going to the U20 World Athletics Championship having to pay for their own flights
This comes hot on the heels of Minister McKenzie brazenly saying “R31 million might be a lot for you, but it’s nothing for the government”. These comments and the revelations made by the Vice President seem to be contradictory and makes one wonder what the priorities of the Department are. Is it spending money on travelling and enjoying luxuries at the FIFA World Cup, or is it the development of South African sport and our finest young athletes?
This is not the first time Minister McKenzie has caused outrage through his poor spending priorities and penchant for lavish travel habits, ActionSA has continuously questioned the Minister regarding his spending habits which have run into the tens of millions since coming into office in 2024.
Millions of young South Africans dream of representing their country on the international stage, and now those that are selected to do so are facing the reality of being unable to attend due to a lack of funding support from the very same Department who spent R31 million on the FIFA World Cup.
ActionSA will engage Athletics South Africa as well as the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture to ensure these athletes are fully supported and able to participate in this important international event without having to worry about how they will get there or back.