Latest news with #SiweleleFootballClub
TimesLIVE
08-07-2025
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
‘He's a good kid with good intentions': McKenzie thanks son for Siwelele FC deal
Sport, arts and culture minister Gayton McKenzie has expressed his gratitude to his son, Calvin Le John, for purchasing SuperSport United and rebranding it as Siwelele Football Club. SuperSport was sold to a Bloemfontein-based consortium, with Le John part of the team that secured the R50m deal. The sale awaits approval from the Premier Soccer League (PSL) executive committee. In a Facebook post, McKenzie thanked his son, highlighting the emotional connection his family has with the 'Siwelele' name, which was the nickname previously associated with Bloemfontein Celtic. 'You were born five hours after I was jailed for 17 years,' McKenzie said. '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. 'I remember you told me that it brings you closer to me emotionally, knowing that you are doing the same thing I did with my father and your grandfather. You suffered growing up without your dad. I thank God for a powerful mother who stood in the gap. You are the main reason I behaved better because I wanted to come out and didn't want to see you grow up behind jail bars forever.'
IOL News
03-07-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Gayton McKenzie's football vision in motion as business associate buys SuperSport United
Minister of Sport Gayton McKenzie, Photo: Backpagepix 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 🔥👊🏾 — Gayton McKenzie (@GaytonMcK) October 13, 2024
