Second group of South African writers en-route to the 2024 Venezuela Book Fair. Picture: X/Gayton McKenzie.
Gayton McKenzie is on his way to winning the hearts and trust of South Africans after his recent efforts to “clean-up” the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture.
Since his arrival in office, McKenzie quickly stepped up to the plate, offering transparency on the inner workings of the government department.
Not so long ago, he ordered his department to reveal a list of beneficiaries who collected funding from the department during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The list, which included South African actors, musicians and art organisations, also showed some irregularities.
In an X post, McKenzie wrote: “We already have people who came forward that didn’t receive money nor applied but are listed as having received. We have people not aligned to the arts who received money, we saw people who are not from SA benefiting.”
We already have people who came forward that didn’t receive money nor applied but are listed as having received.We have people not aligned to the arts who received money, we saw people who are not from SA benefitting. Wait & see after all lists has been released today & tomorrow. https://t.co/Oatnvak8ft
— Gayton McKenzie (@GaytonMcK) July 11, 2024
Then, we saw the minister meet with decision makers in a bid to make national sporting games available on free-to-air channels so that fans can watch these matches in the comforts of their homes.
The Ministries of @CommsZA and @SportArtsCultur are in a joint meeting to find solutions for all South Africans enjoy sporting rights across major platforms. The primary focus around this engagement is to enhance universal access to sports for everyone!#LeaveNoOneBehind pic.twitter.com/MelVDHlVVh
— Dept of Communications & Digital Technologies (@CommsZA) July 16, 2024
In this latest post, McKenzie announced that he had removed himself and a few other officials who where meant to travel to Venezuela with a group of South African writers, who will be participating in the 2024 Venezuela Book Fair, which is on until Sunday, July 21.
He said the move paved the way for more writers to attend.
The second group of South African writers arrived in Turkey 🇹🇷 en route to Venezuela, I removed myself and a few officials from the list to make space for more writers & this is how things will be going forward at @SportArtsCultur pic.twitter.com/jzVEZaFB8q
— Gayton McKenzie (@GaytonMcK) July 17, 2024
According to the DSAC, “Venezuela considers its Book Fair the largest cultural event in their country. The fair highlights the work of national and international authors, publishers, and readers.”
South Africa’s participation will be under the theme “30 Footprints of Freedom. South Africa’s Literary Strides Towards Democracy and Beyond”, which explores how literature has been a mirror, catalyst, and advocate for this transformation.
Some authors who are attending include legendary actor, author, scriptwriter, Dr Jerry Mofokeng, Fiona Snyckers (author), Shubnum Khan (author, artist), Vernon Head (writer, architect, environmentalist) and Melvin Kabwe (book metadata expert) among others.
Netizens praised McKenzie for his efforts, with some even saying that he could be the next president.
@Mlungu_Wajehova commented: “100 seats are coming your way, please do not change.”
@Concerned_CT wrote: “I was nervous about your inclusion. But thus far you have proven me very wrong. Please keep going in this manner.”
I was nervous about your inclusion.
— AB (@Concerned_CT) July 17, 2024
But thus far you have proven me very wrong. Please keep going in this manner.
@Evidence_Shongw wrote: “At this rate you might be a president.”
At this rate you might be a president
— Evidence Bongwe (@Evidence_Shongw) July 17, 2024