sports
Minister McKenzie Estimates R31 Million Cost for South Africa World Cup Delegation
South Africa's Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture reported an estimated R31 million in taxpayer funds for a delegation to the FIFA World Cup 2026. The Democratic Alliance had sought detailed expense and membership information over the past two months.
Jul 15, 3:13 AM·1m read1 source
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Minister McKenzie disclosed an estimated R31 million in South African taxpayer funds spent on the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture delegation to the FIFA World Cup 2026, AllAfrica reported. The figure covers estimates only and follows repeated requests from the Democratic Alliance over the past two months.
The Democratic Alliance twice asked for the delegation's full membership list and total budget.
Minister McKenzie first gave only a vague overview of the group. After a follow-up request, the minister stated that the department sent 20 artists and 18 officials. The 18 officials included the minister, two support staff, the Director-General and a 14-member project team.
Their portion of the costs was estimated at just under R8 million. The specific number and names of all delegation members remain undisclosed, and the final total cost has not been released. The Democratic Alliance said it will submit another question seeking an exact date for the remaining details and will request that Minister McKenzie appear before the Portfolio Committee to provide a precise expenditure breakdown.
