Title: Mr
Initials: G
Surname: McKenzie
Name(s): Gayton
Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/Mckenzie.Gayton
X: https://x.com/MinisterMcK (Minister) | https://x.com/GaytonMcK (Private)
Mr Gayton McKenzie was appointed as Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture from 3 July 2024.
He was born in Bloemfontein in the Free State in 1974. He was a gifted athlete in his early years, particularly in running.
Mr McKenzie has established himself as one of South Africa’s most successful motivational speakers, initially delivering thousands of school presentations before becoming a massively popular corporate speaker. His first book, The Choice: The Gayton McKenzie Story, a biography, was a national bestseller, and all his subsequent books have been bestsellers.
He is a successful entrepreneur with interests in, among others, publishing, entertainment, restaurants and lounges, mining and consulting.
In 2013, he entered politics and co-founded the Patriotic Alliance, which became a major coalition kingmaker in numerous metros and some municipalities. It is now represented in the National Assembly and four provincial legislatures.
As the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Mr McKenzie has promised to use his own diverse racial and cultural heritage as the foundation upon which to use this vital portfolio to bring together South Africans from all walks of life, to celebrate all the many inspiring things we share, instead of what drives us apart.
Mr McKenzie has also pledged his government salary and other contributions to a foundation that will assist in finding lost children. He is an ardent sports fan and believes in the power sport holds to change numberless lives. It plays a foundational role in directing children away from the lures of crime and simply helps to build character.
He also believes that South African artists and performers deserve assistance at all phases of their careers. He enjoys music, live theatre, film and books. In recent years, he has also developed a deep appreciation for the fine arts. He also believe that South African artists and performances deserve assistance at all phases of their careers.
As a successful author and publisher himself, Mr McKenzie understands the creative process and the sacrifices required to accomplish anything of significance. According to him, it is essential for youngsters to have inspiring, uplifting and extremely successful role models to look up to in both sports and the arts.
