Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie, accompanied by Deputy Minister Peace Mabe, addressed the media on Thursday, 23 April 2026, at Freedom Park Heritage Site, outlining the department’s priorities for the coming period.
The briefing covered a wide range of initiatives, including the upcoming Budget Vote 2026, the SA Walks programme, and preparations related to South Africa’s involvement in the FIFA World Cup. The latter included details on the 2010 Bafana-Mexico Legends Rematch, the return of superfans, and the department’s ticket programme for South African supporters. An update on the implementation of VAR was also provided.
Other topics discussed were the Presidential visit to Formula One, support for chess development, the Scatterlings Music Festival at Trafalgar Square in the UK, the Afrikaans Taal Centenary celebrations, the Mzansi-Atlanta Creative Industry Expo, and plans for the June 16 Commemoration.
The media session highlighted the department’s focus on both high-profile international engagements and domestic cultural and sporting programmes aimed at promoting national unity and youth development.
The briefing was held as part of the Ministry’s commitment to keeping the public and stakeholders informed on its work.