Gayton McKenzie's football vision in motion as business associate buys SuperSport United
Image: Backpagepix
Minister of Sport Gayton McKenzie's mission to revive top-flight football in the Free State has taken a major step forward — with his business associate, Calvin Lee John, confirmed as the man behind the pending purchase of SuperSport United through Siwelele Football Club (Pty) Ltd.
SuperSport International announced on Thursday that it had agreed to sell the Betway Premiership side to John's company following a closed bidding process.
The deal is now subject to approval by the PSL executive committee before it becomes official. The move brings McKenzie's long-standing football ambitions closer to reality in his hometown of Bloemfontein.
McKenzie has previously spoken publicly about working with a consortium to bring back Bloemfontein Celtic and re-establish professional football in the Free State — a province widely regarded as one of the country's true footballing hotbeds.
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Advertisement
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Next
Stay
Close ✕
Now, with Siwelele FC poised to take ownership of SuperSport United, McKenzie's influence behind the scenes appears to be paying off.
'As Siwelele F.C, we are privileged to have been given the responsibility of continuing with a rich winning tradition in the PSL,' said Calvin Lee John.
'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.'
John is expected to be unveiled as the new owner, if the PSL gives the green light — and speculation is already mounting that a relocation or rebranding could be on the cards to align with McKenzie's goal of restoring Celtic's legacy.
SuperSport United have enjoyed 30 years of stability under MultiChoice ownership, winning three league titles and producing some of South Africa's top players, including Ronwen Williams and Kermit Erasmus. But the broadcaster has opted to shift focus.
I am a die hard Bloem Celtic supporter, until it's definite return I shall support all teams in PSL so long 🔥👊🏾 https://t.co/WE3r4vfG4O pic.twitter.com/uVmgTMx1wb — Gayton McKenzie (@GaytonMcK) October 13, 2024
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
12 hours ago
- IOL News
Kaizer Chiefs bolster midfield with former Orlando Pirates man Siphesihle Ndlovu
New Kaizer Chiefs man after winning a player of the match award in the colours of SuperSport United last season. | BackpagePix Kaizer Chiefs have added more steel to their midfield with the signing of Siphesihle Ndlovu, as the club continues its aggressive rebuild ahead of a demanding 2025/26 campaign. Ndlovu, 28, joins Amakhosi following a spell at SuperSport United and brings with him valuable top-flight experience, having previously turned out for Maritzburg United and Orlando Pirates. The midfielder will now compete for a starting place in a packed engine room that already includes Sibongiseni Mthethwa, Thabo Cele, Yusuf Maart and Samkelo Zwane. The Soweto giants are one of the most active clubs in the current transfer window. Ndlovu becomes the sixth new arrival at Naturena, following the signings of defenders Thabiso Monyane, Paseka Mako and Nkanyiso Shinga, midfielder Ethan Chislett and Portuguese striker Flavio Silva. It's a clear statement of intent from a club determined to build on their Nedbank Cup triumph — a win that ended a painful decade-long trophy drought.
The South African
13 hours ago
- The South African
Gayton praises son's success: 'You grew up seeing me in jail'
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. Images via X '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.' Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 . Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp , Facebook , X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
15 hours ago
- IOL News
2025 WAFCON: Banyana Banyana focus on the present rather than the past
FILE - Banyana Banyana players celebrate with the trophy after beating Morocco in the final of the last Women's Africa Cup of Nations. Photo: BackpagePix Image: BackpagePix Banyana Banyana will begin their CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title defence this weekend with a clear message from within camp — the past will not play a part for them in Morocco. The 2025 edition of the tournament officially kicks off on Saturday with the final set for 26 July. Banyana, who are based in Oujda, will face Ghana, Tanzania and Mali in Group C as they attempt to retain the crown they famously won three years ago. 'We are focused on ourselves and not stressed about other teams. We just need to make sure that we do on the field what we do when we train,' said forward Noxolo Cesane, who is expected to play a key role in Desiree Ellis' squad during the campaign. The team resumed training on Friday in Casablanca after a day off, before travelling to their base for the group stages. When you're this ready for WAFCON, even your feet can't stay on the ground 😅🦅#BanyanaBanyana 💛 — Banyana_Banyana (@Banyana_Banyana) July 4, 2025 Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Banyana are among 12 nations competing for the newly unveiled WAFCON trophy, which was presented on Wednesday in Rabat. Cesane insists Banyana are not banking on the memories of 2022, where they defeated hosts Morocco to win their maiden continental title. Instead, she believes the current group must earn the right to be champions again. 'Every day, every month and every season teams change, and it is going to be hard. But we have to fix ourselves instead of looking at other teams, and we have to work hard to achieve what we want,' she said. 'So far, we are doing well. We have frustrations here and there, like mistakes on the field, and we have to fix those – it's difficult but we are working hard.' While defending their title will be the primary goal, Banyana will also be motivated by the significant increase in prize money announced by CAF. I promise you nobody has frustrated Morocco like South Africa has recently. 2022 - Banyana Banyana win WAFCON beating Morocco 2024 - Bafana Bafana eliminates Morocco from AFCON 2025 - Amajita wins the AFCON beating Morocco #OfficialPSL #bafanabafana #banyanabanyana #AFCON — BakZy_SA (@bakzy_sa) May 18, 2025
