Gayton McKenzie Sets the Record Straight on Football Funding Claims

South Africa’s Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, has pushed back against growing chatter that he is giving football special treatment. The talk has been simmering ever since the department stepped in with R5 million to help the South African Football Association cover Banyana Banyana’s salary obligations and later confirmed financial support for Bafana Bafana’s international friendlies.

But according to McKenzie, the idea that he is favouring football is completely off the mark.

McKenzie Says Football Only Seems Bigger Because Of The Public

Speaking during a recent interview, McKenzie dismissed the claims, calling them “hogwash” and pointing out that football naturally dominates headlines because it attracts more attention than any other sport in the country.

He didn’t hesitate to highlight rugby as a model of solid governance, arguing that no federation can claim to have been neglected.

“Rugby is an example of how federations should be run. We help all federations and soccer is the sport of the majority. That’s why you see it more. Eighty percent of the questions today were about soccer,” he said.

McKenzie’s point reflects a long-standing reality in South Africa: football remains the country’s most-watched sport by far, especially among young people and working-class communities. That cultural prominence often creates the perception that it is receiving more resources, even when the actual allocations are relatively balanced.

Why Banyana And Bafana Received Extra Backing

The minister’s recent decisions have been driven by practical needs rather than preference. Banyana Banyana are preparing for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, while Bafana Bafana are building towards the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

SAFA has, for years, battled financially, and preparation camps for national teams often become the first casualty when budgets are tight.

McKenzie confirmed he paid undisclosed millions to secure two international friendlies against Panama, a team ranked inside FIFA’s top 30. The move is aimed at giving Bafana world-class opponents rather than limiting them to matches against neighbouring countries.

“We can’t just play against local teams. When we ask SAFA why they only play local opposition, they say there’s no money,” McKenzie explained. “So we said we’ll pay. Get an international team.”

Panama’s visit marks a significant shift in approach, ensuring South Africa faces stronger competition as the World Cup draws closer.

A Bigger Conversation About How Sport Is Funded In SA

McKenzie also emphasised that this step-by-step financial support approach applies to all federations, not just football. His comments hint at a broader strategy: funding national teams strategically as they prepare for major tournaments, while still insisting on accountability from governing bodies.

The debate around sporting allocations is not new. For decades, federations have competed for limited state funding, often relying on sponsorships to survive. Football’s influence and massive supporter base sometimes overshadow the structural difficulties in other sports such as athletics, netball, hockey, and swimming.

McKenzie’s insistence that every federation receives support suggests a desire to shift the narrative while also challenging federations to improve their administration.

Looking Ahead To A Busy Year For National Teams

With Banyana gearing up for WAFCON and Bafana preparing for a rare World Cup appearance, 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most important years for South African football in recent memory.

Whether McKenzie’s equal-support message gains traction will depend largely on how transparently federations use their allocations and how successfully they deliver results on the field.

For now, the minister is unwavering in his stance: football is not being favoured, it’s simply the sport most South Africans talk about.

{Source: SABC Sport}

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