LISTEN: ‘A child in sport is a child out of court’ – Gayton McKenzie
The Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture speaks to Robert Marawa on 947.
Gayton McKenzie and Robert Marawa. Photo: 947
Robert Marawa (on 947) is in conversation with Sports, Arts and Culture Minister, Gayton McKenzie.
Listen below.
From cutting down on super fans to making government beneficiaries public, McKenzie has made it his mission to tidy up the department since taking office.
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He says it is time the focus be kept solely on the athletes and artists that depend on the department, particularly the youth.
“The engine room of sports is in schools… [It] gives birth to sports starts is in schools… My job as a sports minister is to make sure that arts, sports, and culture get recognition in schools. Because a child in sport is a child out of court.”
- Gayton McKenzie, Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture
When he took up office, many called on the minister to not neglect the arts and culture side of the department.
Many artists and musicians were vocal on social media about the lack of support they received from the department during the pandemic.
“That’s the message I got when I became the minister. It’s a semi-correct message… If you look at the R6 billion we get, a majority of that goes to arts and culture, and it’s the biggest shock for me.”
- Gayton McKenzie, Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture
Picture: 947
This prompted the decision to make the department’s beneficiaries public.
“There is no shame in asking your government for help. Poor people will stand in line where everybody sees them getting R350, so why will artists have a problem getting R20,000? Once you ask for public money, you open yourself up to scrutiny. It’s not a secret.”
- Gayton McKenzie, Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture
“There are people that say they didn’t get money, artists, that got money. There are people that are no longer making music, the department is now their ATM.”
- Gayton McKenzie, Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture
McKenzie says internal work continues as he attempts to fully understand the department.
You can also watch the interview below: