Gayton McKenzie denies link to son’s PSL club takeover amid Siwelele return
Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie has spoken out following reports that his son, Calvin Le John, was part of a consortium that acquired PSL side SuperSport United in a R50 million deal.
While many speculated about the minister’s involvement, Gayton insists he had no hand in the purchase.
“There’s no link to me, and there shouldn’t be a link,” McKenzie told eNCA’s Percy Young.
“I’m at arm’s length. But there are family members who dug into their pockets and got the team, they got SuperSport United.”
Despite publicly promising that Bloemfontein Celtic would return to the PSL under the beloved Siwelele nickname, McKenzie denies that his son’s acquisition of SuperSport United was influenced by his role as minister.
Calvin Le John, who dropped his father’s surname years ago, is now looking to rename the club to Siwelele FC—an attempt to revive the legacy of the defunct Bloemfontein Celtic, which was sold and later rebranded as Royal AM.
Gayton McKenzie, who is known for his direct political style, added a humorous twist: “As a minister, when I get reshuffled, I will go look for a job there, as a mascot.”
However, the situation has raised eyebrows. Just last month, McKenzie vowed in his ministerial capacity that Celtic would make a comeback, telling reporters: “Siwelele or Phunya Sele Sele is coming back. I can’t make promises that I can’t keep as a minister. I’m a politician.”
He added that he fully trusted the people working to bring the club back: “They said they are 100% on track.”
Reflecting on the emotional ties to the club, McKenzie shared that Bloemfontein Celtic held deep sentimental value for his family.
“The only time my father hugged me was when Celtic scored a goal. It’s very emotional for my family,” he said. “My son was at my father’s deathbed, and the last thing he spoke about was Celtic.”
He concluded, “We can’t sit here when my family has the resources… people in the Free State are suffering. That can never happen.”
While Gayton McKenzie distances himself from the business dealings, the revival of Siwelele FC under his son’s leadership has inevitably blurred the lines between politics, passion, and private enterprise.
LISTEN: The minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie confirms that his family “dug deep into their pockets” to bring (Bloemfontein) Celtic back to the Free State province… McKenzie spoke to me at an Italian Rugby Day event in Johannesburg last night. #CelticFC pic.twitter.com/UbTb1CsG3a
— Percivale Young (@Percyoung) July 3, 2025
