Gayton McKenzie, once a gangster and bank robber, has transformed his life to become a nightclub owner, opposition politician, and now South Africa’s minister of sports, arts, and culture. President Cyril Ramaphosa appointed McKenzie, the leader of the Patriotic Alliance (PA) party, to this role in a new multi-party government. This change follows the African National Congress (ANC) losing its parliamentary majority in the May 29 election.
At 50 years old, McKenzie is known for his active presence on Twitter. He celebrated his appointment with a humorous post showing himself putting on football boots, stating, “Thank you for all the well wishing messages, I will reply shortly I’m just busy getting ready, I have work to do.”
During his swearing-in ceremony, McKenzie amused the audience, including President Ramaphosa, with a witty remark. When the chief justice asked him to sit, he responded, “The last time a judge asked me to sit, he made me sit for 10 years,” eliciting laughter from those present.
