Controversy Erupts as Gayton McKenzie’s Son Buys SuperSport United in R50 Million Deal
The sale of SuperSport United to Calvin Le John—son of Minister of Sport Gayton McKenzie—has triggered widespread debate and accusations of undue political influence.
Major Ownership Shake-Up in the PSL
Sports broadcaster Robert Marawa announced on X that SuperSport United had officially been sold to Calvin Le John for R50 million through a closed bidding process.
The deal marks the end of an era for the club, which has been a fixture in South African football for three decades under the MultiChoice Group.
Le John, who has reportedly changed his surname to avoid public scrutiny, will assume the role of chairman.
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‘Not Just a Club – A Promise’
Robert Marawa defended the move and praised Le John’s passion for football:
“Football holds a special place in his heart. Siwelele FC is not just a club – it’s a promise to the people of Bloemfontein. Calvin is not doing this for attention. He’s doing it for legacy.”
A New Name and a Bold Vision
As part of the transition, the club plans to rebrand as Siwelele FC, reviving the spirit of the now-defunct Bloemfontein Celtics, which was later rebranded as Royal AM.
In a statement, Le John shared his ambitions:
“As Siwelele FC, we are privileged to have been given the responsibility of continuing with a rich winning tradition in the PSL. SuperSport and the MultiChoice Group laid an incredible 30-year platform that we wish to build upon, should we get the final vote of approval from the PSL Executive Committee.”
Questions Over Ministerial Influence
The revelation that the new owner is the son of the Minister of Sport quickly sparked controversy, with some football fans alleging that Gayton McKenzie may have played a role in the confidential bidding process.
While no evidence has been presented to substantiate these claims, the optics of the transaction have fueled public debate.