Gayton McKenzie Declares US and South Africa “Family” Amid Rising Global Tensions

“Friends may fall out, but family is forever,” says the minister at the US embassy’s July 4th celebration

In a political landscape often dominated by disagreement and distrust, Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie struck a different tone on Wednesday night. Speaking at the US embassy in Pretoria during celebrations for America’s 249th Independence Day, McKenzie called the United States not just a friendly ally, but “family” to South Africa.

“Friendships can end, but family cannot,” McKenzie told the room of diplomats, business leaders, and government officials. “Families fight, families differ, families irritate each other, but family is forever.”

His remarks come at a time when US-South Africa relations have seen more strain than usual. From disagreements over the Israel-Gaza war to diplomatic spats over BRICS alignments, tensions have simmered. Yet, McKenzie’s speech aimed to reset the tone.

Trump, Ramaphosa, and the “Farm Murder” Flashpoint

McKenzie used his platform to reflect on a previous diplomatic flashpoint, the controversial international debate on so-called “farm murders” and alleged white genocide in South Africa.

“President Donald Trump opened the doors to the White House to hear our side of the story,” McKenzie said. “President Cyril Ramaphosa didn’t need to do much but tell the truth and remind POTUS that we are the children of Nelson Mandela.”

His invocation of Mandela’s legacy, a unifying figure in both South African and American civil rights history, served as a bridge between two nations that have, at times, felt ideologically distant.

“Kill the Boer” Has No Place Today, Says McKenzie

Perhaps the most controversial and telling part of McKenzie’s address came when he tackled the politically and socially charged song “Kill the Boer.”

“Of all songs sung during the struggle, none has lost its relevance more,” he said. “It has zero place in present-day South Africa.”

This bold statement is likely to spark national debate, as the song, defended by some as symbolic and condemned by others as hate speech, remains a lightning rod for discourse around race, reconciliation, and political identity.

“We ask not to be judged by the worst among us, but by the best,” McKenzie added, in a plea for South Africa to be seen for its capacity for unity, not division.

A Shared History, A Shared Future

McKenzie drew parallels between the founding ideals of the United States and South Africa’s own democratic journey.

He noted that America’s Declaration of Independence, particularly its statement that “all men are created equal”, inspired generations of South Africans to resist apartheid. Similarly, he said, the US Constitution had a direct influence on South Africa’s 1996 post-apartheid constitution.

“Their motto, E Pluribus Unum out of many, one mirrors our own dream of unity in diversity,” said McKenzie, referencing South Africa’s national motto in |Xam, “!ke e: ǀxarra ǁke”.

America’s View: Shared Values and Creative Leadership

US Chargé d’affaires David J. Greene echoed the themes of unity and shared purpose.

“Independence Day is about the ideals of liberty, democracy, and opportunity, values we see alive in South Africa’s fight for equality and prosperity,” said Greene.

He praised South Africa as a cultural powerhouse on the African continent, highlighting its influence in global sports, arts and fashion. From Soweto’s music stages to Durban’s fashion runways, Greene said South Africa is not just preserving culture, it’s exporting it.

The Takeaway: Family Ties in Fragile Times

McKenzie’s speech might not erase the political tensions between Pretoria and Washington, but it offers a timely reminder: alliances are more than diplomatic agreements, they’re shaped by history, human connection, and cultural exchange.

His remarks signal a shift away from antagonism and towards a future where the two countries can disagree, debate, and still share the table, as family.

Whether his comments spark backlash, applause, or deeper discussion, one thing is clear: McKenzie didn’t dodge the hard topics. He faced them head-on, with an honesty that’s rare in diplomacy and even rarer in politics.

{Source: The Citizen}

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