By Johnathan Paoli
Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie has rejected mounting calls for his resignation over what he describes as “false and malicious” racism allegations, insisting that he will remain in his position and subject himself to any formal investigation.
McKenzie addressed his supporters via social media, responding to complaints lodged against him by political parties, claiming the posts were taken out of context.
He questioned the logic of labelling him a racist given his own heritage and family history.
“I’m the son of a Black woman, I have children with a Black woman, I fought my whole life for the same treatment between Black and coloured people because we fought the same struggle. I can never be guilty of racism, try some other take down but never racism,” McKenzie posted.
The Patriotic Alliance leader, who announced plans last week to sue podcasters for making derogatory statements against the coloured community, said he had since been targeted by a coordinated political campaign.
McKenzie accused the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) of driving the attacks, amplified by social media trolls and misrepresented online posts.
In a series of posts, McKenzie argued that coloured communities continued to face marginalisation despite their historical role in the fight against apartheid.
“Coloured people don’t enjoy the same privileges as black people in South Africa although we fought the same struggle. This is and has always been my fight. Coloured people are screaming out for help but no one is hearing them,” he wrote.
While firmly denying racism, McKenzie conceded that some of his old social media activity was regrettable.
“I did tweet some insensitive, stupid and hurtful things a decade or two ago. I was a troll and stupid. I cringe when seeing them and I am truly sorry for that,” he said, pledging to cooperate fully with any inquiry.
The allegations stem from a combination of resurfaced tweets and comments made during a live broadcast.
Opposition parties including the EFF, ActionSA and the African Transformation Movement (ATM) have all demanded formal investigations.
The ATM has taken its complaint to the Presidency, Parliament and the Joint Committee on Ethics and Members’ Interests.
In its submission, the party said the language was both indefensible and deeply corrosive to the principles upon which the country’s democracy was built.
McKenzie dismissed such interpretations as politically motivated distortions, arguing that many of the quotes attributed to him were either fabrications or misrepresentations of instances where he was highlighting the racism of others.
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