Gayton McKenzie
Gayton McKenzie | |
|---|---|
McKenzie in 2024 | |
| Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture | |
| Assumed office 3 July 2024 | |
| President | Cyril Ramaphosa |
| Preceded by | Zizi Kodwa |
| Member of the National Assembly of South Africa | |
| Assumed office 14 June 2024 | |
| Executive Mayor of the Central Karoo District Municipality | |
| In office 11 April 2022 – 2 May 2023 | |
| Deputy | Gideon Petersen |
| Preceded by | Johanna Botha |
| Member of the Laingsburg Municipal Council | |
| In office 7 April 2022 – 14 June 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Mitchell Smith |
| President of the Patriotic Alliance Founder of the Patriotic Alliance | |
| Assumed office 15 November 2013 | |
| Deputy | Kenny Kunene |
| Preceded by | Party founded |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Gayton McKenzie 10 March 1974 Heidedal, Orange Free State, South Africa |
| Political party | Patriotic Alliance (2013–present) |
| Other political affiliations | African National Congress (before 2013) |
| Spouse |
Nicolette Joubert (m. 2003) |
| Children | 8 |
| Occupation |
|
Gayton McKenzie (born 10 March 1974) is a South African politician, businessman, and convicted criminal, who has served as Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture in the Government of National Unity (GNU) since July 2024.
After spending eight years in jail from age 21 for armed robbery, McKenzie came to prominence in the early 2000s for his role in a prison exposé that eventually led to his early release amid an investigation of prison corruption by the Jali Commission of Inquiry. After his release from jail, he became a businessman, motivational speaker and author. From 2022 to 2023, he served as the Executive Mayor of the Central Karoo District Municipality. In 2013, McKenzie co-founded the Patriotic Alliance political party and has since served as its president.