JSE-listed telecommunications group Blu Label has sold its former sport and events ticketing business, Ticketpro, to a 'woman-owned empowerment consortium' linked to Sport Minister Gayton McKenzie and his political party, the Patriotic Alliance (PA). The exact ownership details of the transaction remain unclear, despite a month-long investigation by Daily Maverick detailing the involvement of several women linked to McKenzie and the PA.
The investigation revealed that Bakang Lethoko, McKenzie's former chief of staff at the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC), became Ticketpro's new CEO after Blu Label sold its former subsidiary. Lethoko became the company's sole director in June, and a new corporate structure, Ticketpro Group, was formed in August, with directors including a self-proclaimed PA member.
Blu Label says it sold Ticketpro to the consortium in May, but the company has refused to provide exact details of the new ownership structure, citing confidentiality undertakings in the sale agreement. Blu Label executive and Ticketpro's former CEO, Andrew Duffield, claimed he had no idea about the links between Ticketpro's new shareholders and McKenzie or the PA.
The transaction has raised concerns over alleged political influence in South Africa's sport and culture economy, particularly given McKenzie's regulatory and oversight powers that directly affect Cricket South Africa (CSA). Ticketpro is the official ticketing partner to CSA, and all indications are that it has won the contract to become the ticketing vendor for the 2027 Men's Cricket World Cup.
McKenzie has stated that it is not within his power to influence procurement decisions, while Blu Label has denied that Ticketpro's work with CSA influenced its decision to sell the business. Blu Label explained that Ticketpro previously consisted of two distinct businesses, with the sport and events ticketing business being sold to the women-owned consortium.
According to Blu Label's 2025/2026 Annual Financial Statements, Ticketpro was sold on 31 May 2026 for an amount of R5-million, resulting in a net outflow of R35-million. The company has insisted that it disclosed sufficient information on the Ticketpro sale, as required by the JSE Listing Requirements.
The opposition parties, including the DA, EFF, and ActionSA, have demanded answers on the McKenzie-linked Ticketpro deal, amid concerns over potential undue influence and conflicts of interest. Daily Maverick's investigation has sparked a series of reports that will shed further light on the transaction and related matters.
Key points
- Blu Label sells Ticketpro to a 'woman-owned empowerment consortium' linked to Sport Minister Gayton McKenzie.
- The exact ownership details of the transaction remain unclear, despite concerns over alleged political influence.
- The transaction has raised concerns over potential undue influence and conflicts of interest, given McKenzie's regulatory powers.
