Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, has defended his praises for singing an African National Congress song which praises Cyril Ramaphosa: Picture: X
In a light-hearted moment at a recent government event, Sport Minister Gayton McKenzie has jokingly explained why he sang the ‘I love you Ramaphosa’ song which is normally belted by African National Congress (ANC) supporters.
The charismatic minister and president of the Patriotic Alliance, was speaking at the National Heritage month programme, held at the Freedom Park Heritage Site and Museum in Pretoria, on Thursday, when he addressed singing the ‘Ramaphosa Remorata Kaofela’ (I love you Ramaphosa) song.
McKenzie justified his praises for President Cyril Ramaphosa, after he recently came into scrutiny for singing the song by some.
However, McKenzie stole the spotlight during his address, leaving those gathered in stitches as he explained why he loudly sang the song praising Ramaphosa when he was in Ekurhuleni recently.
“There was a Sotho song saying ‘Remorata Kaofela Ramaphosa’ and we were in trouble, those who are not the members of the ANC, as I stood up and sang the song.”
He said as he stood up, he sang the song loudly and one person who was sitting next to him, reminded him he was not an ANC member.
“He said ‘but you are not from the ANC, why are you singing?’ I replied and said ‘I am appreciating those blue lights now that you are no longer stuck in traffic, remember who appointed you’, I am remembering,” McKenzie joked to massive laughter.
McKenzie added: “So, I was singing for the privilege of serving South Africa and I was singing the loudest ‘Remorata Kaofela.”
He said that his friend whom he said was travelling from Pretoria, also called him and asked why he sung the song.
“I said to him what is wrong if I sing the song, and he said no you can’t be singing that you love Ramaphosa, and I said I love Ramaphosa now,” he said laughing.
This also elicited loud laughter from the crowd.
“He then said no man you can't, and I said I don’t blame you, the frustration of traffic is getting to you,” joked McKenzie.
The event was held under the theme, ‘Celebrating the lives of our heroes and heroines who laid down their lives for our hearts.’
The PA is one of the parties that form part of the ANC-led government of national unity (GNU).
Now that he is part of the GNU, he said for him to sing the song was to appreciate the opportunity to be part of the coalition government at the national level.
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