R31 MILLION SHOCKER! Gayton McKenzie Reveals Full List of 95 Travellers - R31 Million World Cup Trip!

R31 Million World Cup Trip: Gayton McKenzie Reveals the Full List of Travellers

Byline: Dzikamai Matara | Government & Sports Desk  
  Focus: Delegation Costs & Accountability  
  Updated: September 2, 2026

THE BIG STORY: Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie has released the full list of 95 people linked to South Africa’s controversial R31 million 2026 FIFA World Cup programme, including recorded costs for 18 officials and 77 non-official participants.

The long-awaited disclosure lifts the veil on a taxpayer-funded World Cup programme that has faced intense public scrutiny. The detailed records reveal who travelled, how much was spent, and the wide range of participants involved — from government officials and broadcasters to journalists, podcasters, influencers, lucky fans and ministerial wild-card winners.

Gayton McKenzie and South Africa's R31 million FIFA World Cup delegation controversy
WORLD CUP SPENDING EXPOSED: Gayton McKenzie has released the names and recorded costs of 95 people linked to South Africa’s controversial R31 million 2026 FIFA World Cup programme, putting the taxpayer-funded delegation under renewed scrutiny.

The disclosure follows mounting pressure from National Assembly member Dereleen James, who formally challenged the department to identify everyone who travelled under the programme and provide a detailed breakdown of the money spent. The release now puts the spotlight firmly on who benefited from the trip, how public funds were allocated and whether the expenditure justified the programme’s objectives.

Justifying the R31 Million Trip

McKenzie insists the deployment was a multi-faceted mission beyond just watching football.

Defending the expenditure, McKenzie stated that the trip was part of a highly integrated government programme that ran from 5 to 30 June 2026. While primarily designed to support Bafana Bafana, the mission also heavily incorporated tourism promotion, cultural activities, sports diplomacy, and public participation.

“The programme combined support to Bafana Bafana, the South African Legends Legacy Programme, and the eKhaya Village activations,” McKenzie said. “It also involved sport diplomacy, tourism promotion, cultural programming, and public participation through the Mzansi to the World Cup Programme.”

Authorized Approval The Minister clarified that the entire R31 million programme was officially authorized through a ministerial submission approved on 26 May 2026, well before the tournament kicked off.

Breaking Down the Numbers

A deep dive into exactly where the taxpayer money was spent.

According to the data provided, official travel and subsistence for the 18 departmental officials amounted to R6.186 million. Interestingly, the approved provision was R7.585 million, representing an underspend of R1.399 million.

A further R7.143 million was captured against the 77 non-official participant records, resulting in an average recorded cost of R92,770 per civilian participant. Of this non-official budget, airfare accounted for R3.221 million and accommodation for R1.581 million.

No Professional Fees Paid Addressing widespread rumors that media personnel were paid to attend and provide positive coverage, McKenzie explicitly stated: "No professional fees were paid to any journalist, podcaster or content creator."

The 18 Government Officials

The complete breakdown of the departmental delegation, including the Minister's personal travel costs.

The total supplier-booked official component included R3.099 million for airfare, R2.153 million for accommodation, and R409,098 for ground transport. Below is the full breakdown per official:

Name Role Total Cost (ZAR)
Gayton McKenzie Minister R1,094,486.80
C Cilliers Official R828,427.00
N Pule Official R718,741.60
P Mokwena Official R504,468.80
Dr C Khumalo Official R426,106.83
T Thebehae Official R320,194.80
V Campbell Official R304,334.80
S Buhr Official R287,496.80
S Khojane Official R235,451.80
Z Velaphi Official R232,126.80
Y Bodhania Official R204,407.00
R Lawrence Official R150,991.46
N Hendricks Official R126,600.80
G Brown Official R122,877.80
V Ngobeni Official R121,753.80
K Mosounyane Official R64,198.80
A Daweti Official R63,673.80
M Davids Official R62,480.80

Media, Influencers & Broadcasters

The 30 non-official delegates that included some of the most recognizable faces in South African media.

This cohort featured prominent names whose flights and accommodations were fully covered by the state program. Note: Influencer Vafa Naraghi appears twice on the provided list.

Name Organization / Role Total Cost (ZAR)
Izaiah CarelsePodcasterR113,482.05
Vuyo MacobaNewzroom AfrikaR107,326.69
Siyasanga MonoalibeSunday WorldR107,326.69
Siphiwe MbataAma Fans WethuR107,326.69
Daniel NyembeAma Fans WethuR107,326.69
Thabo MbataAma Fans WethuR107,029.17
Stacey HollandIndependent MediaR103,216.45
Talente MolekoaAma Fans WethuR102,378.20
Jamie Gerry GoundenSports PodcasterR98,306.91
Luciaan GodfreyCinematic Edge StudioR95,218.12
Jean-Pierre FoucheCinematic Edge StudioR95,218.12
Shanique Melissa GodfreyCinematic Edge StudioR95,218.12
Bohemia JumattDie PapierR95,172.96
Justin Bernard FordeNCAR95,172.96
Peadon Devante SmithPodcaster / Good Hope FMR95,172.96
Robert Marawa947 FM Panel ChairpersonR93,889.07
Ronewa Clarence MusandiwaSABCR93,729.36
Kayla Kim MeiringInfluencer / EntrepreneurR92,388.55
Seipati Monono SeokeLesedi FM AdjudicatorR92,317.71
Kgomotso MokoenaSunday WorldR92,317.71
Pitsi Vincent MatlouSports Photographer / AdjudicatorR89,883.39
Aphiwe HononoSABCR89,883.39
Motseki LeineLesedi FM AdjudicatorR87,346.03
Sakina Khumalo (Kamwendo)SABCR84,022.99
Megan Terese LubkeSABCR84,022.99
Larnelle LewiesFood InfluencerR82,086.74
Lehlaga Mahlatse MphahleleSunday Times / TimesLIVER81,736.79
Velile MnyanduSABC Sport AdjudicatorR79,624.47
Vafa NaraghiInfluencer / ComedianR73,117.11
Vafa NaraghiInfluencer / Comedian (Second entry)R35,441.08

Lucky Fans & Ministerial Wild Cards

The 47 ordinary citizens and special invitees whose travel was fully subsidised by the programme.

The "Lucky Fans" and "Ministerial Wild Card Winners" averaged around R95,000 per person in travel and accommodation expenses.

Name Designation Total Cost (ZAR)
Innocent KhanyileLucky FanR108,584.69
Edwin MothunziLucky FanR106,807.23
Yolisa MtumtumLucky FanR104,470.60
Emilio HartoghLucky FanR104,072.50
Ntombeziningi Happiness DumakudeLucky FanR103,444.64
Mamello Constance MakhaLucky FanR103,399.00
Tebogo NtetsheLucky FanR102,476.11
Manuel NgobeniLucky FanR102,267.07
Langa Botha MsilaMinisterial Wild Card winnerR101,513.56
Hlekulani Eleck SonoLucky FanR100,850.71
Katlego Simon MalatjiLucky FanR100,850.71
Nkululeko NkewuMinisterial Wild Card winnerR100,850.71
Justice Mhlaba TshabalalaMinisterial Wild Card winnerR100,844.27
Konelo John TahloLucky FanR99,618.33
Thando NtshumeniLucky FanR99,121.72
Nicky Seroke MokoneLucky FanR99,092.59
Tshegofatso SelloLucky FanR98,139.47
Junior Thabo KhanyeMinisterial Wild Card winnerR98,139.47
Rory PetzerLucky FanR97,722.35
Zolani VumaLucky FanR97,484.70
Masilu Junius MachakaMinisterial Wild Card winnerR97,385.99
Nkanyiso Oliver NdlovuLucky FanR96,368.01
Salmaan KhanLucky FanR96,052.91
Frank Thami RamailaMinisterial Wild Card winnerR96,052.91
Kgotlelelo MakofaneLucky FanR96,027.15
Ndumiso ZondiLucky FanR94,822.87
Michael MortonMinisterial Wild Card winnerR94,798.93
Bongani Benedict VilakaziMinisterial Wild Card winnerR93,734.51
John NgcoboLucky FanR93,309.01
Sebe Hansford ThusiLucky FanR93,090.78
Xolelwa KhwaniniLucky FanR92,664.07
Bhonqolethu TobelaLucky FanR90,438.05
Arthur Henry BacchusLucky FanR90,228.11
Vennentious MotswiLucky FanR89,497.03
Daniel du PreezLucky FanR89,099.14
Adam MthombeniLucky FanR88,479.47
Bonakele Hlengiwe NzuzaLucky FanR88,479.47
Obakeng MokgaraLucky FanR88,479.47
Moratuwa DibakwaneLucky FanR88,372.10
Sahil EbrahimMinisterial Wild Card winnerR87,646.62
Norika NaidooMinisterial Wild Card winnerR86,071.43
Thaven PillayLucky FanR85,529.95
Keitumetse Pretty MabiLucky FanR79,624.47
Nishai KooverjeeLucky FanR74,276.23
Faheem MoollaLucky FanR73,942.86
Adam SchlosbergLucky FanR68,143.57
Nikita DoorghaLucky FanR24,226.54
SONA VERDICT

Transparency, But At What Cost?

Minister Gayton McKenzie deserves credit for adhering to parliamentary oversight and releasing the full, unredacted list of the 95 individuals funded by the state. The transparency is a welcome departure from the usual secrecy surrounding government travel.

However, the figures themselves—particularly the staggering R1 million spent on the Minister alone and the millions dedicated to influencers and podcasters—will continue to fuel intense public debate. In a country grappling with severe economic challenges, citizens are entirely justified in questioning whether a R31 million "sports diplomacy and cultural" mission to Mexico was truly the best use of taxpayer funds.

© Sona Headlines | Government & Sports Desk

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