DJ Khaled says ‘SA believed in us’, poses with Gayton McKenzie

American rapper and DJ Khaled Mohammed, popularly known as DJ Khaled, penned a touching tribute to his fans in South Africa, alongside a photo with Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture of South Africa Gayton Mckenzie. This was shared on Instagram on Tuesday 6 October.

DJ KHALED SAYS SOUTH AFRICA BELIEVED IN HIM

DJ Khaled acknowledged South Africans for the love he’s recieved from the country and sent his love. In a post, where he is seen posing with Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture of South Africa, Gayton Mckenzie, he said that South Africans believed in him.

The photo is from September when the pair linked up in Paris, France during celebrations that marked 30 years of JAY-Z’s debut album Reasonable Doubt. McKenzie was reportedly in France for the Lumière film summit when he was invited by Roc Nation executives to attend the high-profile JAY-Z concert.

Take a look…

“Bless up @gaytonmck bless up South Africa 🇿🇦. They didn’t believe in us South Africa did! Love blessings and respect 🫡. Love is the only way! @michaelyormark bless up @gaytonmck please send my love to all my day 1 fans and supporters South Africa love,” he wrote.

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BONANG CLAPS BACK AT GAYTON MCKENZIE**

After meeting DJ Khaled, Mckenzie took to X, formerly known as Twitter, saying that he felt the Roc Nation event needs to be brough to South Africa.

“Learning I was in France to attend the Lumiere film summit, Roc Nation invited me to meet them and their execs and watch the most talked about show in the world, the Jay-Z30 concert. I insisted this cultural phenomenon simply has to be brought to fans in SA,” he wrote on X.

Learning I was in France to attend the Lumiere film summit, Roc Nation invited me to meet them and their execs and watch the most talked about show in the world, the Jay-Z30 concert. I insisted this cultural phenomenon simply has to be brought to fans in SA. pic.twitter.com/5jJ9Uhm6nK

— Gayton McKenzie (@GaytonMcK)

September 11, 2026

Bonang then clapped back, saying that South Africans need the money.

“Brought to SA? Why? What about the SAMAs? SAFTAs? The locals need money, Sir!! Let’s start THERE!!” she wrote.

Mckenzie then responded saying that the SAFTAs got their biggest budget ever during his time as minister.

“A Minister paying $15 million to bring an artist to South Africa would be stupidity. But failing to create the conditions for SA to become Africa’s events capital is equally stupid. For the record: the SAFTAs got their biggest ever budget during my time as Minister. Thank you Mam,” he wrote.

https://x.com/GaytonMcK/status/2099764921944637771

Mckenzie also spoke out on the Andre Esterhuizen K-word scandal.