South African football just got hit with a major shake-up—and it has nothing to do with players on the pitch.
Calvin Le John, son of Sports, Arts, and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie, has officially purchased SuperSport United in a quiet, behind-the-scenes bidding process.
And while Calvin is the one signing the papers, all eyes are now on his famous father.
Calvin Le John Buys SuperSport United in R50 Million Deal
SuperSport United confirmed this week that the club has been sold to a consortium led by Calvin Le John.
The deal—reportedly worth R50 million—was finalized through a closed bidding process.
The club is now set to be rebranded as Siwelele FC, a move that some say could revive the spirit of the now-defunct Bloemfontein Celtic.
Interestingly, while Gayton McKenzie had hinted at this major move weeks earlier, he insists he had no role in the transaction.
He simply stated that his son is “a brilliant businessman,” just like him.
Why Calvin Doesn’t Share the McKenzie Surname
One surprising detail that has caught the public’s attention is Calvin’s surname.
He doesn’t use “McKenzie.”
According to Gayton, his son purposely changed his last name to avoid being in the spotlight or benefiting from political connections.
Now that Gayton has stepped into the role of Cabinet Minister, Calvin has taken charge of the family’s wide-ranging business empire.
From mining to transport, hospitality to property and entertainment—the Le John name is starting to carry serious weight in business circles.
Gayton McKenzie Opens Up About His Complicated Family Life
As Calvin’s business ventures make headlines, people are also revisiting Gayton’s colorful and controversial past.
In a resurfaced 2015 interview, Gayton admitted to fathering eight children with six different women.
He described those years as his “player days” before he took politics seriously.
“I’ve got eight kids with six different women.
Those were my very naughty days,” he said during an interview with Leanne Manas while promoting his book The Uncomfortable Truth.
Still, Gayton was quick to add that he’s always been present in his children’s lives: “All their surnames are McKenzie. I take care of them.”
A Book Full of Life Lessons for His Daughters
Gayton’s book, based on his past experiences with love and relationships, is also partly written as a guide for women—especially his three daughters.
He says he hopes to pass down wisdom that goes beyond wealth.
“I want them to be different,” he said.
“I don’t want them to be played like I played women.”
A Relationship That Made Headlines
Gayton’s love life has been as headline-grabbing as his political career.
Back in 2003, while serving time in prison for armed robbery, he married his lawyer Nicolette Joubert.
Their relationship began while she was investigating corruption at the Grootvlei Prison—a case that ultimately became a national scandal.
The couple had two daughters but later divorced.
In a tweet, Gayton admitted to deeply hurting his ex-wife but praised her for her class and grace in how she handled their split.
Admitting to Past Mistakes in Marriage
In a more recent interview with MacG on Podcast and Chill, Gayton opened up even further.
He confirmed he’s now single and admitted to being unfaithful during his marriage.
“I’m not married—I was, and I cheated in my marriage a lot,” he confessed.
“I realized this is not who I want to be.”
When asked for marriage advice, he laughed and said, “I’m the worst person to ask,” before adding more seriously, “Respect is what you should always have.
Once you lose it, you have no relationship.”
Is Gayton Keeping Wealth Within the Family?
With Calvin taking over family businesses and now acquiring a major football club, some are wondering whether Gayton McKenzie is quietly building a family empire.
While the minister insists he’s not involved in the SuperSport United deal, the timing and connections have sparked plenty of speculation.