Gayton McKenzie defends SHEIN meeting after public backlash
South African Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, is facing criticism following a recent meeting with representatives from the fashion brand SHEIN in Singapore.
This meeting occurred on 6 October 2025, during the South Africa Focus Week (SAFWS), where Minister McKenzie aimed to highlight South Africa’s creative, fashion, and sports industries.
The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture stated that the discussions focused on potential partnerships to empower young South African designers and athletes, along with enhancing initiatives for inclusive sports.
In his official remarks, McKenzie acknowledged SHEIN’s dedication to social impact globally and promoted collaborations that advance inclusivity and opportunities for people with disabilities.
He stressed the significance of providing international exposure for South African talent and building stronger relationships between local creatives and international brands.
Minister Gayton McKenzie met with SHEIN on the margins of South Africa Focus Week in Singapore, 6 October 2025.
As part of his official visit to Singapore for the South Africa Focus Week (SAFWS), Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Mr. Gayton McKenzie, held a… pic.twitter.com/DC7CuKcWRJ
— Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (@SportArtsCultur) October 6, 2025
Nevertheless, the minister’s engagement was met with swift online backlash, with numerous users on X (formerly Twitter) accusing him of supporting a company that has often been criticized for its impact on local businesses.
One commenter remarked, “This is so infuriating on so many levels. If Minister @GaytonMcK and his department really cared about the local fashion industry, they would’ve done their research and known that any endorsement of SHEIN is no good for local designers.”
In response to the criticism, McKenzie defended his approach, expressing that engagement with the brand was more beneficial than outright opposition.
“We can’t stop SHEIN from doing business in SA; we can agitate and negotiate for greater participation of the local fashion industry,” he stated on X.
“We met them precisely for that reason. You guys think staying angry at companies is a solution? There is value in collaboration.”
This meeting was part of a larger series of high-level discussions during the third edition of South Africa Focus Week in Singapore, which spans from 6 to 11 October 2025.
The event aims to exhibit South Africa’s innovation, culture, tourism, and business potential to an international audience.
