06 June 2025
The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation (AKF) strongly condemns the inflammatory and unlawful
comments made by Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, that are reported
in Africa Report (22 May 2025), threatening to shut down civil society organisations, including
the AKF. His statements are a direct attack on the values of our democracy, the rule of law,
and the rights of civil society organisations to operate freely in South Africa.
Minister McKenzie’s contempt for our Constitution and the rule of law is serial and sinister. His
most recent threats follow the equally dangerous and unlawful directive he issued earlier in
May, instructing the dismissal of all foreign nationals employed in entities within his
department, under the threat of firing the CEOs of those entities. These actions were, and
remain, entirely without legal foundation and constitute a clear violation of both South Africa’s
Constitution and its labour laws.
It is not just the threat to shut down the AKF that we resist, but the broader pattern of Minister
McKenzie’s abuse of power. He tells us without shame and repeatedly that a government in
which he holds office is one in which his personal whims should hold sway rather than the
democratic principles he is sworn to defend. His actions are not just unlawful; they are
dangerous to the social cohesion, stability, and growth of our country.
It is particularly ironic that the Minister seeks to justify his illegal actions under the guise of
advocating for the poor. A minister who abuses his power and disregards the Constitution is
not one who can credibly claim to be serious about addressing the very real and grave issues
of unemployment, poverty, and inequality in our country. A minister who actively seeks to
alienate the residents of those markets in which our goods, services and industry must find
uptake is not a minister serious about creating jobs or economic growth. A minister who
deliberately seeks to be seen to be flouting our laws and Constitution is not a minster serious
about attracting the investments and confidence we need if we are to lift our people out of
poverty.
The real threats to South Africa’s future are not the civil society organisations that speak out
against harmful, fact-free policies. Nor are they from those foreign nationals lawfully present
in our country. The true threats are those who, like Minister McKenzie, actively undermine the
rule of law, sow divisions and pursue populist agendas at the cost of the common good.
South Africa cannot afford a leadership that takes no action against such contempt for the
Constitution.
We call on President Cyril Ramaphosa, the Cabinet, and all responsible authorities to distance
themselves from Minister McKenzie’s harmful rhetoric and actions. His threats to close
organisations like the AKF- whose record speaks for itself and which exists to uphold the
values of justice, equality, and democracy- must be rejected in the strongest terms.
As for Minister McKenzie’s baseless statement that the Foundation is a disgrace to Ahmed
Kathrada’s memory, we treat this with contempt. This Foundation proudly bears Uncle Kathy’s
name, and until his passing he was present at every board meeting and endorsed what the
AKF strives to do. Deepen non-racialism and advance democracy. Admittedly, these do seem
to be the opposite of what Minister McKenzie believes in, and as such shows himself to not
only be ignorant of our Constitution but also the legacies of those such as Uncle Kathy whose
sacrifices secured us that Constitution.
We will continue to speak out against any form of injustice, and we will not be intimidated by
threats from those who seek to undermine the very foundation and future of our country.
Issued by:
The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation Board of Trustees
For media inquiries, please contact:
Anele Gcwabe
Communications Manager
Ahmed Kathrada Foundation
083-278-8832
anele@kathradafoundation.org