Gayton praises son's success: 'You grew up seeing me in jail'

The South African

2 days ago

Gayton McKenzie has heaped praise on his eldest son, Calvin Le John, who recently purchased SuperSport United, which he will rename Siwelele FC.
The Minister of Sport has spoken about having eight children – from six women – including the advocate who helped him during his army robbery prison sentence.
In an emotional Facebook post, Gayton McKenzie praised his eldest son, Calvin Le John, for his successful acquisition of SuperSport United.
The 51-year-old shared how Calvin was born mere hours after he was convicted of armed robbery in 1996.
He posted of his son: 'You grew up seeing me through jail bars. You never visited me on the weekends of the home games of Siwelele because you and your grandpa would go and watch the games religiously just like me and him when I was young. Gayton McKenzie has praised his son Calvin Le John for purchasing SuperSport United. Calvin plans to rename the club Siwelele FC.
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'I remember you told me that it brings you closer to me emotionally. Knowing that you're doing the same thing I did with my father and your grandfather.
Despite not having his father around, Gayton claims that Calvin Le John – who changed his last name – was a 'good kid with good intentions'.
He continued: 'You suffered not growing up without your Dad. I thank God for a powerful mother who stood in the gap. You are the main reason why I behaved better. Because I wanted to come out and didn't wanna see you grow up through jail bars forever.
After Gayton was freed and established his political party, the Patriotic Alliance, Calvin stepped up to take control of the family businesses. He has been at the helm, ever since.
Of his decision to purchase the club, which they hope to bring to Bloemfontein, Gayton added: 'I agree fully with your purchase of SuperSport [United]. Because we both stood at the deathbed of my father and your grandad and we promised that we will always look after Siwelele.
'Siwelele is not a team, it's our Heritage, our culture, and part of our soul'.
Gayton McKenzie has stayed mum about the identities of the six women who birthed his eight children, one of them being Calvin Le John.
However, it is public knowledge that he wed lawyer, Nicolette Joubert, in 2003.
This came after Nicolette was sent to investigate Gayton and others' allegations of corruption at the Grootvlei Prison involving prison gangs, warders, and inmates. The exposé became international news, and Gayton was named one of the 'Grootvlei Four.'
The couple had two daughters together.
A decade later, Gayton hinted that he had wronged his wife, whom he had since divorced.
He tweeted: 'I hurt my ex-wife indescribably. But a bad word about me will never be heard by strangers or our kids, sheer class always.'
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