Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie has officially responded to news that Olympic swimmer Tatjana Smith will be switching representation from South Africa to the Netherlands.
On Tuesday, the 29-year-old – who previously aired her grievances about the aquatic governing body, Swimming South Africa (SSA), in a Carte Blanche investigation – cited reasons such as financial stability, support, and sustainability.
In his statement, the minister stated that the gold medallist’s “personal choice” did not warrant an “attack” on him.
GAYTON MCKENZIE REACTS TO TATJANA SMITH FLAG NEWS
Just hours after Tatjana Smith posted a video clip announcing her decision to switch representation from South Africa to the Netherlands, the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture issued a statement wishing her well on her “next chapter”.
In the statement, the department condemned the “attack” on Minister Gayton McKenzie.
It read: “It is regrettable that some people have used a deeply personal decision by one of South Africa’s most loved athletes to attack the Minister. Tatjana’s choice belongs to her, and it should not be turned into a political weapon.
The department claimed that it had both honoured Tatjana at the South African Sport Awards and gifted her prize money. It went on to elaborate on its roles and responsibilities, which were distinct from those of sporting federations like SSA.
“The Department does not run federations, and it cannot take on all of their costs. That includes the significant cost of competing internationally. The people who lead federations are responsible for running their affairs sustainably and for attracting the partners and sponsors who can pay for these costs”.
It continued: “The Department is aware of the problems at Swimming South Africa, including concerns athletes have raised. These problems are being dealt with through a reform”
The department emphasised that while Tatjana Smith is South Africa’s most decorated Olympian, “South Africa does not own her. She is her own person, and she deserves only success and happiness”.
Minister Gayton McKenzie is quoted as saying: “Nothing can erase what Tatjana has achieved for South Africa. Every medal, every record and every anthem she gave us belongs to our history forever.
“We now have to share her with the Netherlands, but I have no doubt that her love for South Africa is as strong as ever. I believe she still has a great role to play in our country in the future. We wish her only the very best, much love and even more success.”
pic.twitter.com/MWD6jpRPtJ— Gayton McKenzie (@GaytonMcK) November 11, 2026
‘DON’T APPORTION BLAME’
On his X account, Gayton McKenzie faced an onslaught of criticism in the wake of news that Olympic swimmer Tatjana Smith would no longer be representing South Africa, citing a better working environment for the Netherlands, to which she is eligible via parentage.
Gayton responded to a tweet about the poor governance of South African sports bodies.
He tweeted: “We stepped in when hockey needed money; we stepped in when Chess SA needed assistance. All Federations get a grant from Government. You might dislike me, but don’t apportion blame based on your feelings. Read up and understand before you come for me”
Thank you, we stepped in when Hockey needed money, we stepped in when Chess SA needed assistance, all Federations get a grant from government, you might dislike me but don’t apportion blame based on your feelings, read up and understand before you come for me. https://t.co/MIHC5RKCFh— Gayton McKenzie (@GaytonMcK) November 10, 2026
Gayton also responded to criticism about his role and responsibilities in relation to a report that SSA had notified swimmers that they were required to pay tens of thousands, from their own money, to travel to the upcoming World Aquatics Swimming Championships in Beijing.
He posted: “Government gives all federations a grant running into millions. Government does not pay for travel of athletes. We occasionally step in as we did with Chess & Hockey.
He added about the swimming regulatory body: “This is the result of very bad leaders running some of the federations. I am meeting them this week”.
Tatjana Smith has previously revealed how SSA had threatened and intimidated her by withholding her prizemoney and slapping her with a hefty fine.
