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McKenzie Publishes R30.95m Breakdown of World Cup Programme

McKenzie says the spending funded national branding and cultural diplomacy with a reconciled close‑out report due to Parliament.

Overview

  • The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture disclosed a R30.95 million programme related to South Africa’s 2026 FIFA World Cup and released a line‑item breakdown on Sunday showing five spending categories.
  • The department allocated R7.87 million to international travel, R6.71 million to a 2010 Legends programme, R3.36 million to official hospitality, R3.01 million to match tickets and R10 million to South Africa’s physical exhibition presence.
  • Officials say 151 participants took part (excluding the service provider team) and that private sponsors including Brand South Africa, Coca‑Cola, HONOR, Betway, Cell C and Old School contributed more than R5 million and funded some journalists, fans and influencers.
  • McKenzie disclosed his personal travel, accommodation and insurance costs were about R1.06 million, said he declined a R55,000 subsistence allowance, denied personal enrichment and invited formal complaints to Parliament, the Auditor‑General or law enforcement.
  • The department is performing post‑event reconciliation of invoices and sponsorships and will submit a reconciled close‑out report to Parliament, leaving scope for further parliamentary oversight or audit over value for money.