The R50 million acquisition of Premier Soccer League (PSL) club SuperSport United by Calvin Le John, son of Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie, has ignited public debate and political controversy across South Africa.
While the transaction remains subject to final approval by the PSL Executive Committee, concerns have mounted over potential conflicts of interest, given the familial ties between the buyer and the country’s top sports official.
Read: Gavin Hunt Bids Emotional Farewell to SuperSport United
Despite the minister’s emotional defense, concerns remain about governance and transparency. The PSL is expected to carefully review the proposed sale before granting final approval.
Furthermore, critics argue that the deal blurs the lines between public office and private enterprise, especially in a sector overseen by the minister himself.
Minister McKenzie, however, has firmly defended the sale, framing it as a moment of profound personal significance.
In a heartfelt statement, he praised his son’s entrepreneurial spirit and emphasized the emotional resonance of the purchase, linking it to their shared passion for football and the legacy of Bloemfontein Celtic—a club close to the family’s heart.
“You grew up seeing me through jail bars,” McKenzie wrote, recalling how Calvin was born just five hours after he was incarcerated for a 17-year sentence.
“You never visited me on weekends when Siwelele played, because you and your grandfather would go watch the games together, just like I did with him.”
Framing the purchase as an act of emotional reconnection, McKenzie said the deal has allowed his son to walk in the same footsteps he once shared with his own father.
“This brings you closer to me emotionally. You suffered not growing up with your dad, and I thank God for a strong mother who stood in the gap,” he said.
McKenzie also confirmed that he has handed over control of the family’s business interests to his son due to his own full-time political commitments.
He expressed full support for Calvin’s acquisition of SuperSport, claiming it fulfills a promise made at his father’s deathbed — to always “look after Siwelele.”
“To the people of the Free State. Siwelele is not just a team. It’s our heritage, our culture, and part of our soul,” McKenzie added.
The club is expected to undergo a rebranding and relocation, with plans to rename it Siwelele FC in homage to Bloemfontein Celtic.