Gayton responds to controversy over job preference for coloured people
Minister Gayton McKenzie has clapped back at criticism of his department’s decision to prioritise coloured people for job opportunities.
Sport, Arts, and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie has defended his department’s policy of prioritizing employment opportunities for coloured people.
The outspoken leader of the Patriotic Alliance has expressed his desire to empower people of colour in the South African workforce.
His comments come amid Elon Musk’s criticism of South Africa’s “racist laws,” which have halted his plans to bring his internet satellite service, Starlink, into the country.
GAYTON MCKENZE DEFENDS PREFERENCE OF COLOURED PEOPLE
On the X app, social justice commentator Yusuf Ambramjee questioned Gayton McKenzie about an employment circular within the Department of Sports, Arts, and Culture.
The job spec stipulated that “preference would be given to coloured males, Indian males, white males, coloured females, and Indian females.”
Ambramjee tweeted: “Various posts have been advertised by @SportArtsCultur – but see who gets preference.” Tagging Gayton, he added: “What’s your take?”.
The minister responded to the tweet, posting: “Employment Equity, are you saying that you have never heard of it? We making sure all races are represented. Nothing really here to be alarmed about”.
On his Facebook account, Gayton McKenzie again defended his stance. He posted: “I am for all races. When I find that other races has been ignored and rarely given a job opportunity, it is my duty to fix it. I’m fixing things. I want all races to be represented in the department that I lead”.
Throwing shade at his critics, he added: “Go boil somewhere else.”
NOT ‘PRO-COLOURED’
Although the Patriotic Alliance is largely supported by the coloured community, Gayton McKenzie has emphasised that it is “not a coloured party.”
In a rally ahead of the general elections last year, the 50-year-old politician told a crowd of supporters: “We are here today to come and tell them that we are the only party in South Africa that has all nationalities in the NEC [National Executive Committee].
“We are the only party in South Africa that has Premier candidates who are of different races. So we are here to tell them not to lie about us. We are not a coloured party but a colourful party.”