Gayton McKenzie might have recently stepped into the spotlight as South Africa’s new Minister of Sport, Arts, and Culture — but behind the scenes, his family’s once-thriving diamond empire is reportedly facing serious trouble.
And it’s his son, Calvin Le John, now at the helm of the business, who’s been left to navigate the storm.
In his first public interview, Calvin opened up about the shifting fortunes of their family empire, shedding light not just on a big-money football acquisition, but also on the quiet collapse of one of their key revenue streams — diamond mining.
Selling Diamonds to Buy a Football Club
Calvin Le John revealed that the family recently sold shares in their diamond mines to raise funds for a major purchase — the PSL football club Siwelele FC (previously known as SuperSport United).
The R50 million deal, he said, was made possible after offloading shares to a consortium for a reported R90 million.
This marked one of Calvin’s first high-profile business moves after taking over the McKenzie family enterprises.
It also revealed just how closely intertwined their sports interests are with the mining legacy.
Diamond Mining Isn’t Sparkling Anymore
While the mines once brought in big profits, Calvin admitted things have drastically changed.
Lab-grown diamonds have shaken up the industry, pushing prices down and flooding the market with cheaper alternatives.
“Diamond prices are at their lowest in years,” he said.
“A lot of miners have already left South Africa, and many of the ones still here are barely surviving.
I’m trying to exit before things get worse.”
In short, the diamond game isn’t what it used to be — and the McKenzies are bracing for a tough future in that sector.
From Armed Robbery to Mining Mogul
Gayton McKenzie’s backstory is nothing short of dramatic.
After serving time for armed robbery, he turned his life around and got involved in the mining sector, working as a consultant at various gold and diamond operations.
With help from a mentor and close ally Kenny Kunene, he launched Central Rand Gold Mine and later expanded into owning gold, slate, and diamond mines across South Africa and Zimbabwe.
That mining success laid the foundation for the wealth his family enjoys today.
A Business Empire Handed Over to the Next Generation
Now that he holds a government position, Gayton has stepped away from direct business involvement — transferring all ownership to his firstborn, Calvin.
In a Facebook Live video, he explained, “Ministers are not allowed to be involved in private businesses, so everything now belongs to my son. He grew up in money.”
And it wasn’t just the mines. Gayton’s business portfolio previously spanned industries like entertainment, logistics, solar, ICT, publishing, wellness, and even beer brewing.
He was also linked to brands like the Taboo nightclub group, Nu Money Records, and ZAR Productions.
How Wealthy Is Gayton McKenzie, Really?
With such a wide-ranging portfolio and a story that spans prison, politics, and private jets, it’s no surprise that many are asking: is Gayton McKenzie the richest minister in Parliament?
While he no longer holds official business titles (according to the 2025 Register of Members’ Interests), his family wealth — now overseen by Calvin — still runs deep.
So, what do you think? Is this the story of a legacy in trouble or a new chapter for a rising family dynasty?
Feel free to share your thoughts on WhatsApp or drop a comment online.