Minister Gayton McKenzie has once again drawn sharp criticism for his repeated failure to appear before Parliament, where he was scheduled to provide crucial answers regarding the administration of R109,905,992 million in Mzansi Golden Economy (MGE) grants. The Democratic Alliance (DA) has lodged a serious objection with Committee Chairperson Joe McGluwa, emphasizing that the Minister's evasion of parliamentary oversight is not only disrespectful but also raises significant questions about what he is actively trying to conceal or avoid explaining.

A central point of contention revolves around the Mzansi Golden Economy initiative itself. Crucially, the MGE was never established with the intent to fund large-scale arts and cultural festivals. Despite this, after personally defunding established festivals across South Africa, Minister McKenzie explicitly advised organizers of these events to apply to the MGE program. This directive created a clear and reasonable expectation that the MGE represented an appropriate and viable funding avenue, an expectation that ultimately proved to be misleading. Consequently, many of South Africa's most iconic arts and culture events have been left unfunded, leading to severe repercussions.

The economic fallout from these actions has been profound. Festivals, which often serve as vital anchors for local economies, particularly in smaller towns and rural areas, were compelled into an application process ill-suited for their needs. Many faced rejection, outright neglect, or remained in limbo without any definitive outcomes. The direct consequence of Minister McKenzie's decisions has been job losses, business closures, and a significant compromise to the tourism sector. The economic impact of cancelled and downsized festivals is estimated to have cost local economies close to R1 billion in lost tourism revenue, jobs, and income for suppliers.

Furthermore, several Mzansi Golden Economy applicants have reported to Parliament allegations of unfair treatment, inconsistent decision-making processes, and concerns about funding being awarded to entities that were either deregistered or non-compliant. To date, these serious allegations have not been properly investigated or addressed, primarily due to the Minister's persistent refusal to engage with Parliament and provide the necessary explanations.

Adding another layer to the controversy, the MGE adjudication panel, directly appointed by the Minister, appeared before Parliament but exhibited open defiance. The panel is notably chaired by the national spokesperson of the Patriotic Alliance, who possesses no demonstrable professional background or recognized expertise in the arts, culture, or creative industries, yet was entrusted with the allocation of hundreds of millions of rands in public funding. This situation is highlighted as a tragic example of how