Minister of Sport, Arts, and Culture Gayton McKenzie has shared his thoughts on the ongoing feud between President Cyril Ramaphosa and Rwandan President Paul Kagame over SANDF deaths in the DRC
Image: Supplied
Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie boldly stated that if he were in President Cyril Ramaphosa’s shoes and Rwandan President Paul Kagame came at him the way he did to Ramaphosa, he wouldn’t hesitate to throw an insult with the vulgar Afrikaans phrase “Jou ma se”.
McKenzie’s comments come amid a bitter feud between Ramaphosa and Kagame over the deaths of 14 South African National Defence Force (SANDF) troops killed in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Ramaphosa has blamed Kagame’s forces and the notorious M23 rebel group for the deaths of South African troops involved in peacekeeping in DRC.
Kagame has rubbished the accusations, calling them disinformation and further charged Ramaphosa with misinterpreting facts.
Kagame's spokesperson Yolande Makolo even accused Ramaphosa of deploying troops to the DRC for his personal mining interests.
However, the South African government spokesperson Vincent Magwenya has firmly rejected the claims, insisting that those making the accusations must present evidence.
In an interview with Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh Podcast, McKenzie shared his views on Ramaphosa’s leadership, describing him as consultive but ultimately decisive.
“He listens to opinions, but when people don't (listen), at the end of the day, he then takes a decision,” McKenzie said.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has accused Rwandan President Paul Kagame over the deaths of 14 SANDF soldiers deployed in the DRC for peacekeeping efforts.
Image: Supplied/GCIS
McKenzie, however, joked that if he were in Ramaphosa’s shoes, he would have been less diplomatic in the presidential spat, and instead would have fired back with the Afrikaans insult, “Jou ma se.”
He laughed as he added: “If I was the president, and Kagame came for me like that, I would have come the same way. ‘Jou ma se,’ you did that and that….”
Despite his joking tone, he went on to praise Ramaphosa for handling the situation with maturity.
“There's a lot of maturity in him,” he said.
McKenzie also reflected on his own past criticism of Ramaphosa, revealing that he had been harsh toward him.
“I hated Ramaphosa, and they (Patriotic Alliance) had very bad things to say about each other,” he confessed.
But after he joined the Government of National Unity (GNU), McKenzie said Ramaphosa “shamed” him by looking beyond their differences and included him in his cabinet.
The Sports, Arts and Culture Minister admitted that he was initially ashamed when Ramaphosa offered him a role in the coalition government.
”Maturity is a blessing, even with your enemies,” he said.
“Blessing the people that you differ with and not overlooking people that you differ with, but you know they can add value.”
He further praised Ramaphosa’s leadership, acknowledging that while it may seem excessive, it is part of what makes him an effective leader.
“He consults too much, and this is where I've learned something is that he's a very effective leader,” McKenzie added.
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