Gayton McKenzie should have long been axed over K-word saga

SPORTS, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie’s refusal to apologise for his social media posts containing the K-word should be enough reason for President Cyril Ramaphosa to fire him.

The South African Human Rights Commission had given McKenzie a chance to respond to its letter following a complaint about his remarks dating back almost a decade ago. 

“Following assessment of the contents, the Commission is of the view that utterances made by Minister McKenzie are prima facie violations of the provisions of the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act (Equality Act), 2000. Consequently, the Commission has sent an allegation letter to Minister McKenzie. Thereafter, the Commission will determine the best way forward which may include instituting proceedings in the relevant Equality Court.”

Ramaphosa should have been the first to demand a public apology from Mckenzie. Failure to do so means that he is out of the Cabinet. But then again, the president would rather spend time defending a wasteful national dialogue that so many South Africans have rejected.  

McKenzie’s argument that he is a victim of a political campaign aimed at ending his career can be best described as a cheap attempt to escape accountability. What is so difficult about owning up and apologising? 

No one and certainly not the minister of sports, arts and culture, needs to be reminded of the hurt and the stigma that comes with the use of the K-word, whether directed at an individual/s or used in general.

The minister, as the custodian of social cohesion, should be leading by example. 

His refusal to apologise sends a worrying message and quite frankly undermines whatever gains the country has made in rooting out racism.  Others have been jailed for using the term. 

How Ramaphosa continues to entrust McKenzie to be the face of the  government in the fight against racism boggles the mind.

His continued silence on the matter is indicative of a president who turns a blind eye when he should be acting against his cabinet minister. He will be shocked when asked about it and that will be the shameful legacy that follows Ramaphosa well beyond his presidency. 

Thankfully the SAHRC is not letting him off the hook.