Gayton McKenzie faces backlash from Ahmed Kathrada Foundation

THE Ahmed Kathrada Foundation (AKF) has slammed Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, for threatening to shut down it and other civil society organisations.

- MANYANE MANYANE

McKenzie made these remarks in a recent interview with the Paris-based English-language quarterly magazine, Africa Report, where he was speaking about the Afrikaner's resettling in the United States, xenophobia and his 2029 leadership vision.

McKenzie recently sparked controversy by calling for the dismissal of foreign nationals working in departments under his authority, with many including the AKF and other prominent civil society organisations, criticising him for being xenophobic.

During the interview, McKenzie told Africa Report that he would get rid of illegal foreigners and he would close down charities that are anti-government, adding that the country needs patriotic charities.

When asked if that included AKF, McKenzie said the foundation is a disgrace to the memory of the anti-apartheid activist, adding that he had never heard them speaking about the poorest of the poor not having jobs.

The foundation said these comments are a direct attack on the values of the country's democracy, the rule of law, and the rights of civil society organisations to operate freely in South Africa.