South Africa’s Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, has moved swiftly to address accommodation complaints raised by members of the South African athletics contingent competing at the 24th African Athletics Senior Championships in Accra, Ghana.
The swift ministerial response came after a video shared on social media by South African shot put athlete Aiden Smith drew widespread attention to what he described as concerning conditions at the on-site athlete accommodation at the University of Ghana Stadium in Legon.
The championships, running from 12 to 17 May 2026, have brought together over 1,500 athletes and officials from across the African continent.
Ghana is hosting the prestigious event for the first time, with all 48 participating countries housed at the University of Ghana, the same venue that served as the Athletes’ Village during the 2023 African Games.
Upon viewing Smith’s video and the media coverage that followed, Minister McKenzie directed his Department to immediately arrange alternative hotel accommodation in Accra for Team South Africa. The offer was promptly communicated to the delegation, affirming the government’s stated commitment to the wellbeing of its sporting representatives abroad.
The welfare of our athletes is non-negotiable. We need to understand what led to these concerns, and our Department will continue to monitor the remaining days of competition. We look forward to welcoming our athletes home after the weekend.”
The athletes have since indicated that their immediate concerns were resolved, and they have chosen to remain at the Championships venue accommodation for the rest of the competition. The team’s decision to stay reflects a desire to maintain focus on their athletic preparations without the disruption of a mid-competition move.
Minister McKenzie has additionally requested a full report from Athletics South Africa documenting the conditions experienced by the delegation and the circumstances surrounding the complaints. The report will be used to assess accountability and ensure better preparation for future continental competitions.
Amid the off-field turbulence, Aiden Smith delivered a remarkable performance on the track, capturing the gold medal in the shot put competition. Minister McKenzie extended congratulations to Smith and wished the full South African team continued success as the championships head into their final days.