South Africa’s Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, has lauded Namibia as a ‘true brother and sister’ for standing by South Africa during a wave of accusations regarding xenophobia.
Speaking at the Iziko Museum in Cape Town on Wednesday during the handing over of the remains of former Robben Island prisoners in partnership with the Namibian government, McKenzie addressed criticism levelled against South Africa over strict documentation enforcement for foreign nationals.
He defended the stance, asserting that asking visitors to enter with valid documentation does not constitute xenophobia.
“We cannot be judged by the worst of us; we must be judged by the best of us.
Asking for people to come with proper documentation to your country does not make you xenophobic,” McKenzie states.
The minister expresses “deep appreciation” to the Namibian people, noting that while other nations turned away and refused to support South Africa’s national football team, Bafana Bafana during their 2026 World Cup campaign, Namibia stood in solidarity.
“Namibia stood out for me because Namibia said, ‘Go Bafana Bafana’,” says McKenzie.
“You see your friends when you are being accused falsely.
To all the Namibians, I want to say we love you, and we salute you,” he adds.
McKenzie concluded by reaffirming the strong historical and fraternal bonds connecting the two neighbouring countries.
-Nampa
