Gayton accepts Renaldo Gouws’ apology: ‘Take time to learn and reflect’

Gayton McKenzie has kindly accepted the public apology from former DA member Renaldo Gouws, who has faced backlash for his past “racist” remarks on social media.

The former MP tweeted a heartfelt apology to the Minister of Sport, Arts, and Culture after previously criticising the latter over his criminal past.

Gouws was recently given the boot after an internal party investigation. This followed an outrcy over old YouTube videos of him saying the “K-word” and “N-word”

GAYTON ACCEPTS RENALDO GOUWS APOLOGY

In a tweet posted on Wednesday, 28 September, Renaldo Gouws apologised to Gayton Mckenzie for “judging you on the man you used to be many years ago.”

The former DA MP said of the Patriotic Alliance leader: “I see how I was no different to how people and the mainstream media handled something I did and said and how they took it out of context to fit their narratives.

“I’m man enough to admit how childish I was and couldn’t see past my nose. I know I briefly served in parliament, but there is no doubt that you are one of the top-performing Ministers in the short time you have been in that position”.

He added: “Kudos to you. Keep up the passionate work.”

Responding to the apology, Gayton McKenzie tweeted of Renaldo Gouws: “Thanks a lot. This too shall pass”.

Hinting at Gouws’s dismissal from the DA and his racism allegations, he added, “Be strong, learn, reflect deeply, and bounce back soon.” 

HAVING THE LAST LAUGH?

It’s not the first time a member of an opposing political party has criticised Gayton McKenzie for his old life of crime, which included armed robbery and fraud.

Last week, the PA leader clapped back at Julius Malema’s parliamentary quip that he was a “pantiti” (jailbird).

Addressing the EFF leader, he said: “I want to make it clear: I don’t mind you calling me a pantiti, but I want to make you aware of one thing. Here in the Western Cape, my name was on the ballot as Gayton McKenzie, and your name was on the ballot as EFF. People looked at both, but they decided to vote for me”.

Last year, Gayton also addressed BOSA leader Mmusi Maimane, who tweeted a picture of the former and ex-Johannesburg mayor Thapelo Ahmed with the caption: “We cannot have convicted criminals governing the City of Johannesburg. That is like allowing alcohol to run Tops.”

Gayton responded to the shady tweet by posting: “Usually, I would mind such a comment, but coming from a pastor makes me feel sorry for the people with who you share the word of God with

“You are basically saying that the blood of Christ has no power to change my life. It’s lost its power”.

I am not in the race 4 Joburg Mayor anymore, usually I wouldn’t mind such a comment but it coming from a Pastor makes me feel sorry 4 the people that you share the Word of God with,you are basically saying that the Blood of Christ has no power 2 change my life, it lost its power https://t.co/Qi85S1x5AA— Gayton McKenzie (@GaytonMcK) April 26, 2023

Mmusi later offered a sheepish apology that read: “I respect Mr McKenzie and the work he has done post-serving time. I spoke out of anger on behalf of the residents due to the musical chairs of mayors”.

He added: “We serve the same Jesus, who believes the best of us in redemption.”