Diversity Advocate Terry Oakley-Smith Slams Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie

Diversity advocate Terry Oakley-Smith has issued a scathing critique of Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie following the resurfacing of historical racist remarks on social media.

"Having reviewed his tweets—not just the k-word incident but other vile statements—it’s obscene he leads Sport and Culture," Oakley-Smith said. "These portfolios should unite us, yet his history reveals abhorrent racism."

READ: ActionSA Reports Sports Minister to Human Rights Commission Over Alleged Racist Tweets

Key Concerns Raised

Oakley-Smith highlighted serious issues regarding McKenzie’s appointment:

• Appointment Vetting Failure: No apparent scrutiny of social media history
• Damaged National Trust: Erodes public confidence in leadership
• Sporting Division: Contradicts athletics’ role in reconciliation

Systemic Racism Highlighted

The interview revealed broader societal concerns:

• Youth Radicalization: Young South Africans using racial slurs on podcasts suggests intergenerational tolerance of racism.
• Violent Incidents: Referenced a white woman driving into Zulu celebrants, killing one, as evidence of persistent racial violence.
• Government Inaction: Criticism of the Government of National Unity for lacking diversity training before coalition formation.

"We pretend to be a rainbow nation, but we're miles away," Oakley-Smith stated.

Calls for Resignation and Accountability

Rejecting McKenzie’s AI-defenses and denials, Oakley-Smith said:

"If he genuinely wants change, he should resign—not step aside with pay. Then demonstrate real transformation."

Proposed accountability measures include:

• ✔ Strict vetting of officials’ digital histories
• ✔ Enforcement of Hate Crimes Act provisions
• ✔ Public apologies for historical racism

READ: Minister McKenzie Defends Resurfaced Tweets: "You Can't Put Racism on Me"

Cancel Culture as a Civic Tool

Oakley-Smith endorsed strategic boycotts to pressure change:

• Avoid racist media or podcasts
• Pressure networks to drop offensive figures
• Demand ministerial standards

"When leaders won’t act, citizens must, through cancel culture," she argued, while distinguishing accountability from censorship.

This controversy underscores ongoing challenges in leadership vetting, diversity, and racial reconciliation in South Africa’s political and sporting sectors.