Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie has defended the department’s estimated30.95 million rand programme linked to South Africa’s participation in the2026 FIFA World Cup, arguing that the initiative was designed to deliver broader economic, cultural and tourism benefits beyond supporting the national football team.
The expenditure has come under scrutiny from opposition parties, which have questioned whether taxpayers received sufficient value for money and called for greater transparency over how public funds were spent.
Minister Says Programme Extended Beyond Football
Responding to questions from The South African, McKenzie said the World Cup initiative formed part of a wider government strategy to promote South Africa internationally after Bafana Bafana qualified for the FIFA World Cup for the first time in16 years.
According to the minister, the department’s activities were not limited to supporting the national team but also included promotional events in three host cities aimed at showcasing South African culture, tourism and business opportunities.
He said the programme created platforms for local artists, exhibitors and creative professionals while supporting trade, investment and cultural diplomacy alongside sport.
McKenzie described the initiative as a strategic investment intended to maximise the country’s international exposure during one of the world’s largest sporting events.
Opposition Calls For Greater Transparency
The Democratic Alliance has requested that McKenzie appear before Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Sport, Arts and Culture to explain the expenditure.
Asked whether he would cooperate with such a process, the minister said he remains fully accountable to Parliament and would participate through the appropriate parliamentary procedures.
ActionSA has separately called for the immediate publication of a detailed breakdown of the spending, including the minister’s travel expenses related to the programme.
McKenzie responded that the department is still completing its financial reconciliation process and will release the information through the appropriate accountability mechanisms once the work has been finalised.
The minister also rejected criticism that international promotional activities came at the expense of community sport.
He said government continues to invest in local sports facilities, grassroots development, sports infrastructure and national teams while simultaneously pursuing international opportunities capable of generating economic benefits for South African businesses and the country’s creative industries.
Addressing concerns about procurement and financial management, McKenzie said all expenditure complied with applicable government procurement legislation and public finance regulations.
He added that the department welcomes parliamentary oversight and public scrutiny, maintaining that transparency and accountability remain central to its work.
The debate over the programme is expected to continue as opposition parties seek further details on the expenditure, while the department prepares to complete its financial reporting process.
Source: The South African, Department of Sport, Arts and Culture