Minister McKenzie, we will not be intimidated

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 (May 22, 2025), threatening to shut down civil society organisations, including the AKF.

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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.