New South African Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, now insists that super-fans should watch games from home if they cannot fund their own trips, as he says he cannot justify giving Mama Joy R1.3 million. Here's a look!
The story
McKenzie's announcement that he will cut all spending for trip super-fan trips on Tuesday has been a trending topic throughout the week across social media and various news platforms.
The politician was named in South Africa's new cabinet following the 2024 National Government Election and the 50-year-old has sprung to action making big calls, which also include publishing the list artists, creatives, and athletes who were recipients of department's Covid-19 relief fund.
Among those calls, however, is the one that affects arguably Mzansi's most recognisable sports fan Mama Joy. The future seems slightly grim for the Royal AM supporter, as McKenzie does not appear too keen on going back on his decision.
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Speaking on SABC Morning Live on Friday, the minister put into detail why Mama Joy can no longer be funded.
"South Africa has 65 or let me say 50 million Mama Joys, make no mistake. [Fans] that jump in front of the tv or they will take their last money to watch a game.
"But there's two things that South Africa needs to understand about the whole Mama Joy situation. There is a panel of super-fans. Why is it that we are using the same people while there is a panel?
"What will the other super-fans on the panel think? The departmental panel… we only use the same people, it cannot be.
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— Gayton McKenzie (@GaytonMcK) July 9, 2024
"The hockey team were raising money selling boerewors rolls to go and compete. The athletes going to Peru for the youth championships, they don't have money to pay for their tickets to get there. I am helping them to raise money to get them there.
"Now how do I as a minister justify sending Mama Joy, paying R1.3 million, business class and top hotels, while the people she's going to watch can't even get there?
"She gets there before them. We love Mama Joy but who is she going to watch if I can't get these people [athletes] there?
"If you really want to be a super-fan, you will get yourself there. That's why we have tv."
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