Gayton reacts to Nigerian pastor’s failed bid for Good Hope Centre

Gayton McKenzie is celebrating the news that a R135 million bid by Nigerian pastor John Anosike to purchase the Good Hope Centre has seemingly fallen through.

The Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, also the leader of the Patriotic Alliance, has been vocal about his opposition to the sale to the foreign national religious leader.

Anosike has called for city officials to respond after Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis publicly stated that the former was “unable to pay” for the landmark site.

GAYTON MCKENZIE CELEBRATES AS NIGERIAN PASTOR’S GOOD HOPE CENTRE BID COLLAPSES

Last week, Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis shared feedback about the sale of the Good Hope Centre. Speaking to a local radio station, the mayor claimed that the highest bidder’s offer – R135 million – was off the table.

Without naming John Anosike or his business entity, New Faith Ministries, Hill-Lewis claimed that the bidder did not “have the money that they said they had”.

He added: “And so they are unable to pay for it”. As a result, the landmark site would be offered to the second-highest bidder, an Islamic institution.

On Facebook, Gayton McKenzi celebrated the news, posting on the account of the political party: “We have been following this like a hawk, thank you to the PA lawyers”.

The party leader added several dancing emojis to his comment, indicating his joy and approval.

Back in March, the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture voiced his disapproval of the Democratic Alliance-led City of Cape Town for allowing a foreign national to bid on the heritage site.

He said in a Facebook Live:  “Over our dead bodies, here will be no Nigerian church. We are not taking arts and culture spaces and giving them to Nigerians. That will not happen.

“If that Nigerian pastor knows what is good for him, he must keep that money. My advice to him is to take your money and invest in Nigeria. We will never give you peace. We will fight in the highest court. You will never take that velodrome and have Nigerians there having churches. That place will become a place of drugs.

“If the DA thinks…we’re not saying anything, but we’re watching this move. The Good Hope Centre will not be sold to a Nigerian”.

DEMANDING ANSWERS AND AN APOLOGY

Meanwhile, John Anosike has released a statement regarding Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis’s comments about the Good Hope Centre, which he claimed he was blindsided by.

He has also demanded an apology after he claimed that the comments referring to his religious institution as a “Nigerian church” were tainted with xenophobia.

He shared: “Describing the church as a ‘Nigerian church’ is inaccurate and potentially harmful.

“Within the current climate of xenophobic hostility, such language may portray the church and its congregation as foreign entities and may unnecessarily expose them to prejudice, hostility or targeted attacks”.

Anosike has also called on the city officials to meet with him urgently to discuss the status of his bid and the way forward.

Anosike – who has permanent residency in South Africa –  has also previously accused Gayton McKenzie of promoting xenophobia about his bid to buy the Good Hope Centre.

“Statements of this nature raise serious concerns about xenophobic undertones, political intimidation, and the discouragement of lawful investment by foreign residents of South Africa.

During a sermon at his church, Anosike appeared to send a “warning” to Gayton.

He said from the pulpit: “Don’t touch me. One word will deplete your political party. You said over your dead body…Your political career has gone down. It’s dead. It’s dead”.