Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie has strongly defended the decision for ministers to fly business class on long-haul international trips, calling it essential for their wellbeing and job performance. According to McKenzie, expecting public officials to endure cramped conditions for over 30 hours only to jump straight into high-level meetings is not just impractical — it’s inhumane.
He labelled such expectations as “sadistic” when responding to a parliamentary question from ActionSA MP Alan Beesley regarding his travel expenses, which have reached R4.8 million since he joined Cabinet in July last year. Of this, McKenzie’s own travel costs account for R2.55 million, including a R164,000 cancellation for an abandoned trip to Burkina Faso.
Long-Haul Flights Aren’t Glamorous
Contrary to popular belief, McKenzie insisted that official travel is far from a holiday. He emphasised that ministers often arrive at their destinations with no time to rest, sometimes heading into meetings within an hour of landing. Having experienced demanding travel as a businessman long before joining government, McKenzie said he is well-acquainted with the toll it takes.
Citing one trip to The Gambia involving four connecting flights in cramped economy seats, he argued that business class is justified — especially when sleep and recovery are critical to being effective at diplomatic and cultural engagements.
A Costly Image Crisis
McKenzie also criticised the public backlash over his travel to the Paris Olympics, saying it may have harmed South Africa’s global reputation. He revealed that Formula One executives questioned whether the country was serious about hosting a Grand Prix, given the uproar over a single ministerial trip. He cautioned that portraying travel as wasteful could deter international investors and weaken diplomatic influence.
“You can’t build partnerships or host global events via email,” he said. “We must be present, visible and credible on the world stage.”
Trimming the Fat After Public Scrutiny
Despite defending the necessity of travel, McKenzie admitted that some costs have been excessive. He cited ground transport in Paris — amounting to over R454,000 — as an example. In response to media scrutiny, he has since instructed his department to abandon luxury chauffeured vehicles in favour of cost-effective options like rental cars and ride-hailing services.
“Though I had never used Uber or public transport before, I’m now doing so overseas with my staff,” he explained. These efforts, he noted, have helped significantly reduce subsequent travel expenses.
A Broader Pattern of Spending
ActionSA has been collecting responses from all ministers regarding their travel expenses, which now total over R200 million. McKenzie’s answer came in the same week a parliamentary oversight committee criticised him for missed appearances and unfulfilled commitments.
Beesley, unimpressed by the justification, highlighted the R164,000 paid for a cancelled flight as particularly alarming. McKenzie countered that certain non-refundable costs were inevitable due to short-notice cancellations.
Incomplete Records and Staff Travel Costs
In addition to his own expenses, McKenzie reported that the travel costs for his staff had reached at least R2.3 million. He also pointed out that incomplete data from travel agents had hindered the full disclosure of his deputy minister Peace Mabe’s overseas trips. One such example was Mabe’s visit to the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, for which cost details are still pending. So far, her travel and accommodation have been recorded at just over R1.2 million, while her staff’s travel cost R629,000.
More Than Just Air Miles
McKenzie closed his response by warning against stigmatising official travel. He argued that in a rapidly changing global landscape — especially with the rise of AI — South Africa cannot afford to be absent from global conversations.
“If we don’t stay connected with global leaders and events, we risk falling behind,” he said. “Our ministers must not feel ashamed to do what’s needed to strengthen the country’s presence in the world.”
Breakdown of Gayton McKenzie’s International Travel
Between 3 July 2024 and 25 March 2025, McKenzie undertook the following official trips:
- Paris, France (21–29 July 2024) – Olympics and UNESCO meetings
Flights: R215 976 | Accommodation: R113 271 | Transport: R454 005
Total: R783 252 - Russia & Azerbaijan (9–17 September 2024) – BRICS and Formula One talks
Flights: R297 539 | Accommodation: R70 902
Total: R368 441 - Abu Dhabi, UAE (22–27 October 2024) – UFC negotiations and cultural MoU
Flights: R94 065 | Accommodation: R49 614
Total: R143 679 - Brazil (5–10 November 2024) – G20 Culture Meeting and G20 presidency handover
Flights: R119 523 | Accommodation: R116 459
Total: R235 982 - London, UK (14–18 November 2024) – Springbok match and brand negotiations
Flights: R157 274 | Accommodation: R56 562 | Transfer: R3 646
Total: R217 482 - Geneva, Switzerland (19–23 November 2024) – Olympic bid discussions
Flights: R79 833 | Accommodation: R19 335
Total: R99 168 - Qatar (30 Nov–2 Dec 2024) – F1 race bid planning
Flights: R153 459 | Accommodation: R23 240 | Car hire: R15 130
Total: R191 829 - Banjul, The Gambia (20–23 Jan 2025) – Africa sports governance meeting
Flights: R95 023 | Accommodation: Provided
Total: R95 023 - Dubai, UAE (10–14 Feb 2025) – World Government Summit
Flights: R96 753 | Accommodation: R67 200
Total: R163 953 - Burkina Faso (Abandoned on 22 Feb 2025) – Planned film festival attendance
Flights: R153 427 | Accommodation: R11 129
Total: R164 556 - Japan (14–20 March 2025) – Deputy President’s investment mission
Airfare: R89 687 | Accommodation: Not disclosed
Total: R89 687
Related article: VAR Rollout in Motion: McKenzie Says We Are Ready
