{"id":11835,"date":"2025-10-08T09:08:09","date_gmt":"2025-10-08T07:08:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wedodis.co.za\/news\/?p=11835"},"modified":"2025-10-08T09:08:11","modified_gmt":"2025-10-08T07:08:11","slug":"bonang-matheba-and-sol-phenduka-weigh-in-on-gayton-mckenzies-shein-meeting-controversy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wedodis.co.za\/news\/bonang-matheba-and-sol-phenduka-weigh-in-on-gayton-mckenzies-shein-meeting-controversy\/","title":{"rendered":"Bonang Matheba and Sol Phenduka Weigh In on Gayton McKenzie’s SHEIN Meeting Controversy"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"Bonang<\/p>\n

Mzansi criticizes Gayton McKenzie over partnership with SHEIN<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Bonang Matheba<\/strong> and Sol Phenduka<\/strong> have contributed their thoughts to the increasing online discourse stemming from the recent outrage over Minister Gayton McKenzie<\/strong>‘s interaction with the international fashion brand SHEIN.<\/p>\n

The minister’s engagement with the retailer in Singapore drew significant criticism, to which Bonang responded with a succinct yet impactful message on X, stating, \u201c\u2018You guys\u2019?! Lol!!\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u2018You guys\u2019?! Lol!! https:\/\/t.co\/CCpgOyuasR<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Bonang Matheba 👑 (@Bonang) October 7, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Sol Phenduka also shared his concerns, challenging the minister on his position regarding the protection of local industries.<\/p>\n

\u201cGrootman lami @GaytonMcK. Please tell me how Botswana can implement this, but as a sovereign country that seeks to protect our local industry we can\u2019t do the same?\u201d he remarked.<\/p>\n

In response, McKenzie asserted that actions are already underway to aid local creatives.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is an important conversation that should have been had already, unfortunately. We have started a cluster for designer representation, we are funding them and meeting them soon. This, I am told, is on their agenda. Ours is to assist designers firstly,\u201d he stated.<\/p>\n

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This is an important conversations that should have been had already unfortunately, we have started a cluster for designer representation, we are funding them and meeting them soon, this I am told is on their agenda. Ours is to assist designers firstly. https:\/\/t.co\/OoUb8HTMvg<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Gayton McKenzie (@GaytonMcK) October 7, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The sentiments of frustration expressed by Bonang and Sol were resonated by many South Africans, with one user remarking, \u201cThis is ridiculous. Museums are going extinct. Theatres are closing. NSA needs funding. Our athletes need support. COME ON????\u201d<\/p>\n

This reaction comes on the heels of McKenzie\u2019s defence of his meeting with SHEIN, where he argued that collaboration with international brands could yield beneficial opportunities for local designers rather than jeopardize them.<\/p>\n

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The Minister of Trade & Industry has a textile masterplan asking Foschini to manufacture in SA.<\/p>\n

The Minister of Arts & Culture supports SHEIN, which directly undercuts the textile industry.<\/p>\n

Exciting times in the GNU! https:\/\/t.co\/o3QDx43l8s<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Mbekezeli (@MbekezeliMB) October 7, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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