Gayton McKenzie reveals donation to Nandi Nyembe before her passing
Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie has defended himself against accusations that he abandoned the late actress Nandi Nyembe.
The politician came under heavy fire after actress Lerato Mvelase openly criticised him during Nyembe’s memorial service on Thursday, 28 August 2025, sparking heated debate online.
Responding on his official X page the same day, McKenzie said he was unfairly targeted despite the efforts he had made to support Nyembe both in her lifetime and after her passing.
He revealed that when the actress first spoke publicly about her financial struggles, he personally sent her R20,000.
“I will never take this abuse and lies. Upon hearing of the dire situation of Ma Nandi Nyembe, I immediately sent her R20,000; she thanked me profusely. Upon being notified of her death, I took the first flight out of Cape Town to visit the children. I was warmly received,” he wrote.
McKenzie went on to disclose that he contributed another R10,000 to assist with funeral expenses and helped move the actress’s body from a state morgue to a private mortuary.
“The daughter seemed very concerned about the body of her mom at the state morgue. I made a few calls, and the body was moved to the mortuary which will bury her. Without anyone asking me, I gave her daughter another 10k for cakes and tea for the guests who will visit the house,” he explained.
The minister added that he had also made his driver and another aide available to assist the family throughout the funeral week, while his department fully covered the funeral costs.
“I made my driver available full-time until the funeral to drive them anywhere they wish to go. I also made another person available to assist the family during this difficult week. @SportArtsCultur paid for the full funeral,” McKenzie confirmed.
