Minister Gayton McKenzie finds himself labelled as the culprit behind the increased racism from the coloured community, as the public angrily reacts to a clip of a Knysna High School learner calling using the k-word. This follows the resurfacing of McKenzie’s old, racist posts.
What started as Minister Gayton McKenzie fighting and advocating for the dignity of the coloured community by shining a light on the problematic statements made by the Open Chats Podcast crew has resulted in his potential demise, as he finds himself embroiled in a scandal, with South Africans calling for his removal from office.
Some citizens have labelled the minister as a hypocrite for leading the charge to have the young podcasters removed from their deal with DSTV, while being guilty of spewing far worse hate.
These citizens have called for Gayton to face a similar fate, highlighting the importance of holding him accountable, particularly because of the position he holds in society.
Since the resurfacing of the minister’s posts, some incidents of coloured people being overtly racist towards black people have made their way onto social media, further intensifying tensions between the two groups. The latest incident sees a coloured Knysna High School learner referring to a room full of her black peers using the k-word, and then laughing it off with her friends.
The school principal, as well as the Western Cape Department of Education, have responded to the matter and condemned the learner’s actions. An investigation to identify everyone involved in the matter has been launched, with a disciplinary hearing set to follow.
WATCH: A coloured student in Knysna High calls black students with K word. pic.twitter.com/8OIkVdFop1
— PSAFLIVE (@PSAFLIVE) August 23, 2025
According to some concerned citizens, the blame for this rise in incidents can be attributed to Gayton McKenzie’s posts and recent conduct. Furthermore, they highlight how his failure to speak up and condemn the learner is an indication of his support for such actions against the black community.
Some are also of the view that a lack of significant action against the minister will only result in a snowball effect, which, according to them, will embolden the coloured community to be more racist without fear of consequence.
She learned from the best, this is the best project of Gayton McKenzie!! Unity is far from over, we have more racists in South Africa, Knysna High has one!! pic.twitter.com/FvFu3srQSn
— Slaughter. (@BafanaSurprise) August 24, 2025
You see why it was vital that we deal with Gayton Mckenzie so we can address the rest of the coloureds who are still occupied with “half bass” mentality. https://t.co/VRHhjGS0WT
— Kwena Molekwa (@Miz_Ruraltarain) August 24, 2025
Coloured people in South Africa have always been racists, they just never publicly expressed it. They’re leader Gayton McKenzie has emboldened them with his racist tweets, that’s why they are so bold to say it out loud, publicly pic.twitter.com/hCUbIfSLko
— Thuso van Zyl🇿🇦🇵🇸 (@Thuso1Africa) August 24, 2025
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