McKenzie defends DSAC’s roughly R31m World Cup programme, ‘nothing to hide’

Minister says spending was lawful and transparently disclosed

Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie has defended the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture’s (DSAC) approximately R31 million expenditure on South Africa’s FIFA World Cup 2026 engagement, saying the costs were disclosed in a parliamentary reply and that there is “nothing to hide”.

What the minister disclosed

In a detailed statement, McKenzie described the programme as involving 151 participants travelling to Mexico and the United States, excluding service providers, and said private sponsors covered part of the costs. He said a final reconciliation of sponsor contributions is still under way.

Breakdown of the R31 million

McKenzie gave a breakdown of the expenditure:

• R7.86 million for the official delegation, covering international travel, accommodation, local transport, travel insurance, daily allowances and other approved travel costs for government officials, logistics staff, communications teams, protocol officers and South African artists.
• R6.71 million for the South Africa 2010 Legends Programme, including an exhibition match between the 2010 Bafana Bafana squad and Mexico’s 2010 legends team.
• R3.36 million for official hospitality venues in Atlanta and Monterrey used for meetings with government leaders, investors, sponsors, football officials and international partners.
• R3.01 million for 294 official FIFA match tickets across three host cities for delegation members and programme participants.
• R10 million for South Africa’s exhibition spaces in Mexico City, Atlanta and Monterrey, covering construction, branding, technical equipment, logistics, security and cultural activations promoting South African tourism, arts, food and investment opportunities.

Funding, oversight and reconciliation

McKenzie said private sector partners named in his statement as Brand South Africa, Coca-Cola, HONOR, Betway, Cell C and Old School funded travel for fans, journalists, podcasters and influencers, which reduced the financial burden on the state. He said every invoice, sponsorship contribution and payment is being reconciled as part of a consolidated close-out report that will be tabled once finalised.

The minister emphasised that all expenditure was approved through departmental processes and remained subject to the Public Finance Management Act, Treasury regulations and National Treasury cost-containment measures.

Response to allegations

McKenzie challenged those alleging misconduct to present evidence.

“If any person believes money was improperly allocated, appropriated, or spent, or that I personally benefited in a corrupt manner, I invite them to bring that evidence forward,”

he said.

He also rejected claims that he personally spent R31 million, and provided details of his own costs. McKenzie said his travel costs totalled R1,058,379.75 over a five-week period for flights, accommodation and insurance. He said he declined subsistence allowances worth R55,000, used shared transport where possible and that no state funds were used for his family’s travel.

Programme activities

According to McKenzie’s statement, the World Cup programme included engagements with Mexican government officials, investment and tourism stakeholders, Formula One organisers and cultural institutions, as well as South African fan activations and performances in Mexico, Atlanta and Monterrey.

McKenzie said he remains available to account to the Portfolio Committee.