Latest news with #CalvinLeJohn
The South African
2 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
Siwelele FC boss brags about being Minister Gayton's son
Despite shying away from his father's last name, Calvin Le John introduced himself as the son of Minister of Sport, Art and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, after addressing supporters of his newly acquired football club, Siwelele. The businessman- the firstborn of the former convict – recently purchased the club, previously Supersport United, for R50 million in a closed business deal. In his first speech, Siwelele FC's new boss introduced himself to the club's supporters. 'I am Calvin Le John, the firstborn of the Minister of Sport, Gayton McKenzie', he told a crowd of football fans at their general meeting last week. Calvin touched on his relationship with Gayton, and their love of the Bloemfontein Celtic club – nicknamed Siwelele – which later became Royal AM. 'On the day I was born, my father was sentenced to 17 years [for armed robbery]. From the day I was born until the age of 10, the only connection we had was through the visitors' section at Grootvlei [prison]. Becoming emotional, he added: 'In my family, one of the only things that brought us happiness was Siwelele'. @l_keezy021 Gayton McKenzie's son Calvin Le John donates R100,000 to supporters and gives his first speech as the Chairman of Siwelele football club in Bloemfontein #southafricatiktok #gaytonmckenzie #gayton #latestnews #incaseyoumissedit #southafricantiktok🇿🇦 #southafricatiktok🇿🇦 #fyp #fypageシ ♬ original sound – L_Keezy021 Since Calvin Le John acquired Siwelele FC, many South Africans have accused Gayton McKenzie of having a hand in the closed business deal. Others claim he would use his position as Minister of Sport to further the club's interests. Responding to the rumours, Gayton said in a Facebook Live: 'People act like we took money from under our mattress and we just went to go buy a club. Gayton McKenzie has heaped praise on his son, Calvin Le John. Images via Facebook 'He bought it, I'm not part of the company….There's no consortium, he owns 100% of the company alone'. Gayton added, 'I'm very proud of him. He doesn't want to trade on McKenzie's name; that shows you he is different.' 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.
The South African
05-07-2025
- Politics
- 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.
The South African
04-07-2025
- Business
- The South African
Gayton on son's PSL club purchase: 'My family has the resources'
Minister of Sport, Art and Culture Gayton McKenzie has broken his silence on his son Calvin Le John's purchase of PSL soccer club, SuperSport United. The R50 million purchase, via a consortium, took place during a closed bidding process. Calvin, also a prominent businessman, dropped his father's last name in recent years. He plans to change its name to Siwelele FC and fill the void of the now-defunct Bloemfontein Celtic, which later became Royal AM. Speaking to eNCA's Percy Young, Gayton McKenzie addressed the contentious issue of his son Calvin Le John's purchase of SuperSport United. The Minister of Sport insisted that he was not involved in the closed bidding deal. He said: 'I'm at arm's length. But there are family members who dug into their pockets and got the team, they got SuperSport United. 'But there's no link to me, and there shouldn't be a link. 'My involvement was actively, publicly telling South Africans that I was going to make sure that Siwelele returns to the Free State. It's about to happen.' Gayton jokingly added: 'As a minister, when I get reshuffled, I will go look for a job there, as a mascot'. While Gayton McKenzie claims he was not involved in the SuperSport United deal, he does hope that the club will fill a void left by his favourite PSL club, Bloemfontein Celtic. He continued: 'The only time my family was together, and the only time my father hugged me, was when Celtic scored a goal. It's very emotional for my family. My son has taken over my family business, because as a minister, we're not allowed to have businesses. Gayton McKenzie's son has purchased PSL club SuperSport United. Images via X 'He was at the deathbed of my father, and the last thing he spoke about was Celtic. 'We can't sit here when my family has the resources…people in the Free State are suffering. That can never happen'. Last month, Gayton McKenzie, in his capacity as Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, vowed that Bloemfontein Celtic, under its nickname Siwelele, would return to the PSL. What he did not mention was his son's investment. He told reporters: 'I'm still meeting the people who will fulfill that promise. Siwelele or Phunya Sele Sele is coming back. I can promise. I can't make promises that I can't keep as a minister. I'm a politician. He added: 'They are on track, and I trust them absolutely because I know them.' 'I asked them if they were still on track with bringing Celtic back. They said they are 100% on track to bring Celtic back'. According to , Free State businessman Edward Modise owns the naming rights to Bloemfontein Celtic. 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.
The South African
03-07-2025
- Business
- The South African
Family business? Gayton McKenzie's son buys PSL club
Calvin Le John, the first-born son of Minister of Sport, Art and Culture Gayton McKenzie, is the new owner of PSL club SuperSport United – and South Africans are unsurprised at the 'convenience.' The news was announced by sports broadcaster Robert Marawa on the X platform. The club, which was reportedly sold for R50 million, will change its name to Siwelele FC. Its goal is to revive the glory days of the now-defunct Bloemfontein Celtics, which later became Royal AM. In an X post, Robert Marawa broke the news that SuperSport United had been sold to a new owner, Calvin Le John. The deal – which cost R50 million – took place through a closed bidding process. Interestingly, Calvin is the son of Minister of Sport Gayton McKenzie and reportedly changed his last name to avoid public scrutiny. Calvin now takes up the post of chairman of the PSL club. He wants to officially rebrand as Siwelele FC and fill a void that the now-defunct Bloemfontein Celtics left behind. Calvin Le John said in a statement: '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'. SuperSport United's new owner is the son of Minister of Sport, Gayton McKenzie. The R50 million closed bidding deal has sparked controversy. Image via Facebook. Marawa said of the deal – and Calvin's relation to the minister: '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.' News that SuperSport United's new owner, Calvin Le John, is the son of Gayton McKenzie did not come as much of a surprise to South African football fans. Some have even accused the minister of having a hand in the closed bidding deal. Gayton Mackenzie is the real Mafia!🤣 — YourServant (@ArnoModd) July 3, 2025 According to a profile of the new PSL club owner, Calvin Le John changed his name several years ago in the hopes of also becoming a hotshot businessman like his dad. The eldest son of Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, was entrusted with running the family's extensive business empire in the sectors of mining, transport, hospitality, entertainment, properties, and publishing. 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.
The Citizen
03-07-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
SuperSport United confirm sale to Siwelele FC
'SuperSport International would like to confirm the sale of its Premier Soccer League (PSL) club, SuperSport United, to Siwelele Football Club (Pty) Ltd,' read the official statement. SuperSport United have officially confirmed the sale of their Premier Soccer League (PSL) status to Siwelele Football Club. SuperSport United have officially confirmed the sale of their Premier Soccer League (PSL) status to Siwelele Football Club, bringing an end to months of speculation surrounding the future of Matsatsantsa a Pitori. SuperSport statement Little is known about the buyers, but United released a statement on Thursday afternoon confirming that the transaction is subject to approval by the league's Executive Committee. ALSO READ: OPINION: The imminent demise of SuperSport is turning PSL into a mockery The former three-time Premiership champions will cease to exist, in what is a sad day for South African football. The club was originally established in 1994 after M-Net purchased the status of Pretoria City FC. 'SuperSport International would like to confirm the sale of its Premier Soccer League (PSL) club, SuperSport United, to Siwelele Football Club (Pty) Ltd,' read the official statement. 'Following a closed bidding process, Siwelele F.C. was awarded the rights to purchase the three-time Premiership winners, pending approval by the PSL Executive Committee.' SuperSport CEO Rendani Ramovha said the decision to sell the club forms part of a broader strategic shift for the broadcaster. 'The sale of the club comes as SuperSport makes strategic shifts to allow us to remain the biggest broadcaster in Africa and a leading global competitor,' he said. 'Shifts in the market, as well as the need to innovate in accordance with our core business, have necessitated a focused direction to ensure SuperSport remains the continent's premier sports content provider and a leader in broadcast innovation.' 'A rich, winning tradition' Both parties have stated they will not be making further comments until a final decision is made by the PSL. However, Siwelele F.C. chairman Calvin Le John expressed excitement at the opportunity to take over the Pretoria-based outfit. 'As Siwelele F.C., we are privileged to have been given the responsibility of continuing a rich, winning tradition in the PSL,' he said. 'SuperSport and the MultiChoice Group laid an incredible 30-year foundation that we hope to build upon, should we receive final approval from the PSL Executive Committee.' ALSO READ: Familiar face gets coaching job at cup-winning PSL side SuperSport will be remembered for winning the league for three successive years from 2007. They have also collected nine domestic cup competitions in their stint in South African topflight football, making them one of the most successful clubs in the PSL era.
