Gayton McKenzie Dragged For Failing Nandi Nyembe In Her Final Days

Mzansi is fuming at Gayton McKenzie after the passing of veteran actress Nandi Nyembe. SA is in mourning following the passing of veteran actress Nandi Nyembe, who died on Saturday night, 23 August 2025, at the age of 75. The Zone 14 star, celebrated for over five decades of excellence in film and TV, left the country heartbroken.

But alongside the tributes, Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie found himself at the centre of social media backlash. Mzansi wasn’t buying his heartfelt condolence message, with many dragging him for allegedly failing to support Mam’ Nandi while she was alive.

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McKenzie posted on X (Twitter): “It is with profound sorrow that the Nyembe Family, together with the National Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, announce the passing of one of South Africa’s most treasured icons of the arts, Mam’ Nandi Nyembe.”

The post, meant as a tribute, was quickly turned into a hot seat for the Minister as South Africans demanded accountability.

“She Had to Beg Online” – Mzansi Calls Out Gayton Mckenzie

Just months before her passing, in April, Mam’ Nandi had to make a public plea for help due to financial hardship and medical bills. SurgeZirc SA even shared a video of the actress reaching out to South Africans, who thankfully came through for her when official help seemed nowhere in sight.

One user, @moesuttle, wasted no time reminding Gayton of this: “Just a few months ago, she had to go on social media to beg for assistance to be able to pay her medical bills. Something that should never have happened had your department cared enough to protect actors by ensuring bargaining rights and copyrights to their work.”

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McKenzie did donate R20,000 at the time and promised more support — even a publicised visit. But according to Mam’ Nandi herself, that help was short-lived. In a heartbreaking statement to Sunday World, she revealed:

“Nobody has called or said anything to me; I am in the dark. I have already lost faith in politicians because the ANC said the same thing not so long ago, promising to assist me.”

The Streets Are Not Holding Back

If Gayton thought condolences would silence criticism, Mzansi proved him wrong. Social media exploded with fiery comments, dragging the Minister for what many labelled “performative care.”

@EverythingSA1: “Has there ever been a greater clout chaser like this clown? Everything that trends, he gets himself involved and promises people things, but when it’s time to deliver, he hides his gap and keeps quiet. We need to shame people who support this PA nonsense.”

@BOYZA_T: “Did you ever go see her as you had promised?”

@Abutimangmang: “Performative care is what you specialise in, you charlatan.”

@ThandoZ_Amon: “She struggled financially in her final months, wheelchair-bound without medical aid or royalties after 53 years in the industry.”

@supernova_kr: “How has your office made means to support ailing actors? Sending your condolences when she has been needing aid for months doesn’t mean much.”

@The_Thuls: “You failed her.”

With Mzansi calling him out left, right, and centre, Gayton McKenzie is learning the hard way, South Africans will not let politicians score easy points off their fallen icons.

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