MINISTER GAYTON MCKENZIE DEFENDS R31 MILLION FIFA WORLD CUP 2026 DELEGATION EXPENDITURE
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PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA – Following public scrutiny and opposition criticism regarding the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture’s (DSAC) spending during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Minister Gayton McKenzie has released a detailed statement outlining the department’s R30.95 million expenditure.
Rejecting claims that the funds were misused, Minister McKenzie insisted that "spending a budget is not a scandal" and asserted that the national branding, cultural diplomacy, and investment promotion efforts delivered clear value for South Africa on the global stage.
Official Expenditure Breakdown
The department's R30,945,370.15 budget was allocated across five primary operational areas:
Official Travel & Delegations (R7,865,134.97): Covers international flights, accommodation, local transport, daily allowances, and travel insurance for 18 official delegation members—including the Minister, two support staff, the Director-General, and a 14-member project team.
2010 Bafana Bafana Legends Match (R6,706,925.00): Funded 27 participants to play an official exhibition match against Mexico's 2010 legends team and participate in legacy events celebrating South African football history.
Hospitality & Working Suites (R3,361,845.18): Established dedicated working and networking spaces in Atlanta and Monterrey for government leaders, sponsors, investors, and international partners.
Spectator Match Tickets (R3,011,465.00): Paid for 294 official FIFA match tickets across host cities for delegation members, stakeholders, and program participants.
Fan Engagement & Pavilion Activations (R10,000,000.00): Covered the design, build, lighting, equipment, logistics, security, and performance costs for exhibition pavilions in Mexico City, Atlanta, and Monterrey—including 30 artists and cultural performers.
Delegation Composition & Private Sector Sponsorship
Minister McKenzie clarified that the broader delegation contingent of over 150 people was heavily offset by corporate partnerships.
Private Sponsors—including Coca-Cola, HONOR, Betway, Cell C, and Old School—funded 76 non-state participants (47 "Lucky Fans" and 29 journalists, influencers, and podcasters), keeping them entirely off the public payroll.
Addressing his own expenses, McKenzie stated that his personal travel footprint totaled R1,058,379.75.
This figure covered five weeks of travel, which included a mandatory return flight to South Africa to attend official June 16 Youth Day commemorations in Soweto.
"Rather than a dedicated driver in every city, I took a lift with my adviser in his respective rental cars... I turned down expensive state protocol lounges in every city we visited—because I wanted to contain budget costs.
I even turned down claiming my own subsistence and travel allowance of R55,000... I did not approve this programme for myself, it was done for the country." — Minister Gayton McKenzie
Response to Political Critics
The Minister fired back at political opponents, including ActionSA and the Democratic Alliance (DA), accusing them of taking a lawful, mandate-aligned budget expenditure and attempting to frame it as a personal luxury trip.
McKenzie invited any party claiming corruption or financial mismanagement to submit evidence directly to Parliament, law enforcement, or the Auditor-General.
He emphasized that a comprehensive close-out reconciliation report is currently being prepared and will be tabled before the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee once all supplier invoices and sponsorship accounts are finalized.
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