- President Cyril Ramaphosa and Sports Minister Guyton McKenzie to attend Formula One Grand Prix in 2026
- South Africa has not hosted an F1 race for 33 years, with the last event being held at the Kyalami Circuit in 1993.
- Social media users were not impressed by the Minister and President's plans, arguing that there were bigger issues
Source: Getty Images
news in brief Journalist Byron Pillay has spent a decade reporting on the South African political scene, crime and social issues. He spent 10 years working for a community newspaper before transitioning to online.
Gauteng – President Cyril Ramaphosa And Guyton McKenzie will be racing in a Formula One Grand Prix later this year, and the South African is not impressed by the idea.
The President and the Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture will attend an event during the 2026 season, such as South Africa Still have ambitions to host their own races.
McKenzie has been practicing law To bring Formula One back to the country with both cape town And Kyalami is bidding to host a race. were even talks to a host The current calendar was affected after the conflict in the Middle East in 2026.
McKenzie confirms plans to attend F1 event
during a media briefing Pretoria On Thursday, 23 April 2026, the Sports Minister confirmed that the President would join him at the event.
He said, “His Excellency President Cyril Ramaphosa has agreed to join me at the Formula One Grand Prix later this year. This is a working visit, not a social visit.”
McKenzie said Ramaphosa's involvement was a sign that plans for an F1 race were receiving high levels of support in the country.
The minister said, “The President's visit will allow us to observe, engage and strengthen our case. I will provide more information about the timing and specific Grand Prix at the appropriate time, in coordination with the President.”
Source: Getty Images
South Africa hasn't hosted an F1 race in 33 years
South Africa is pushing for an F1 race as it has been 33 years since the event was held in the country. The last race was held at the Kyalami Circuit in 1993 and was won by Alain Prost, who drove for Williams-Renault.
Speaking about the long period since the last race on African soil, the minister described it as unacceptable and unsustainable.
He said, “An entire generation of young African motorsport fans have never seen a Formula One race in their backyard. We intend to change that.”
Source: Getty Images
South Africans are not impressed by the plans
While there are many F1 lovers in the country, social media users agreed that there are more important things to deal with than hosting the race.
@jacque0001 said:
“We have bigger issues than Formula 1. 40% unemployment is the real issue.”
@Dee013 said:
“Cyril Ramaphosa will see fast cars spinning in roundabouts while South Africa continues to spin in roundabouts. Same potholes, same blackouts, same broken promises. At least in F1 the pits are closed. Our government never stops fixing anything.”
@fulusogunyukun added:
“He would rather do anything than actually address social issues. How disappointing.”
@PaulLombar87434 Agreed:
“We have serious problems here. What does F1 have to do with anything? Please.”
@qhamelapathi also emphasized this point:
“We have serious issues. Formula One is for the elite.”
@MalaviMmapimele said:
“We don't want F1. We don't support it. We want proper roads, schools and basic water.”
@WagerOfJoy said:
“We can't allow this to keep happening to us. You're overdoing it. People want jobs. After the murder and torture of a family of seven, do you think people want to come here? You have to solve the level of crime in our country before you can host.”
McKenzie expressed concern over the plans of Rwanda and South Africa
news in brief South Africa and Rwanda are vying for the right to host the Formula 1 Grand Prix, reports say.
Both countries are fighting to bring this high-octane sport back to Africa, which was the dream of Hamilton and McKenzie.
South African Sports Minister suggested that Africa There was unfair treatment regarding the hosting rights of the program.
Source: News in Brief