Gayton McKenzie Defends R31 Million South Africa FIFA 2026 Spending

South Africa’s Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, said the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) spent roughly R31 million on the country’s FIFA World Cup 2026 programme and that there is “nothing to hide”. The expenditure covered a delegation of 151 officials and artists travelling to Mexico and the United States, with private sponsors contributing part of the cost. According to the minister, R7.86 million funded the official delegation’s travel, accommodation, transport, insurance and daily allowances, while R6.71 million supported the South Africa 2010 Legends Programme and R3.36 million paid for hospitality venues in Atlanta and Monterrey. An additional R3.01 million bought 294 official match tickets, and about R10 million was used for exhibition spaces in Mexico City, Atlanta and Monterrey, including construction, branding and cultural activations. McKenzie invited anyone who believed the money was improperly allocated to provide evidence, rejecting claims that the spending was wasteful or that he personally benefitted.