Bonang Matheba and Sol Phenduka react to Gayton McKenzie’s controversial SHEIN meeting

Mzansi drags Gayton McKenzie over deal with SHEIN

Bonang Matheba and Sol Phenduka have joined the growing online conversation after Minister Gayton McKenzie’s meeting with global fashion retailer SHEIN sparked public outrage.

Following backlash over the minister’s engagement with the company in Singapore, Bonang reacted with a short but pointed post on X, writing, “‘You guys’?! Lol!!”

‘You guys’?! Lol!! https://t.co/CCpgOyuasR

— Bonang Matheba 👑 (@Bonang) October 7, 2025

Sol Phenduka also weighed in, questioning the minister’s stance on local industry protection.

“Grootman lami @GaytonMcK. Please tell me how Botswana can implement this, but as a sovereign country that seeks to protect our local industry we can’t do the same?” he wrote.

In reply, McKenzie maintained that his ministry is already taking steps to support local creatives.

“This is an important conversation that should have been had already, unfortunately. We have started a cluster for designer representation, we are funding them and meeting them soon. This, I am told, is on their agenda. Ours is to assist designers firstly,” he said.

This is an important conversations that should have been had already unfortunately, we have started a cluster for designer representation, we are funding them and meeting them soon, this I am told is on their agenda. Ours is to assist designers firstly. https://t.co/OoUb8HTMvg

— Gayton McKenzie (@GaytonMcK) October 7, 2025

Many South Africans echoed Bonang and Sol’s frustration, with one user commenting, “This is ridiculous. Museums are going extinct. Theatres are closing. NSA needs funding. Our athletes need support. COME ON????”

The backlash follows McKenzie’s defence of his meeting with SHEIN, where he argued that engagement and collaboration with global brands could create opportunities for South African designers rather than harm them.

The Minister of Trade & Industry has a textile masterplan asking Foschini to manufacture in SA.

The Minister of Arts & Culture supports SHEIN, which directly undercuts the textile industry.

Exciting times in the GNU! https://t.co/o3QDx43l8s

— Mbekezeli (@MbekezeliMB) October 7, 2025