South Africa is projected to generate close to R1 billion in economic activity from tourism, hospitality, local spending, taxation, and international exposure by hosting an international series event of the LIV Golf tournament later this month.
“Fifty-four of the best golfers in the world will be here. And LIV Golf is not just a golf tournament; it is a global sporting and cultural festival that combines sport, music, entertainment and tourism,” Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie said on Wednesday.
LIV Golf is coming to South Africa with big stars participating in the tournament, including Jon Rahm, Cam Smith, Bryson DeChambeau and Louis Oosthuizen from 19 March 2026 until 22 March, at the exclusive Steyn City in Johannesburg.
Club at Steyn City is a luxury venue centred around a championship 18-hole golf course, set in a scenic parkland with the Jukskei River running through it.
The course offers a challenging layout, pristine conditions, and a tranquil, upscale atmosphere, making it an ideal destination for both golf and refined gatherings.
“We are also pleased that discussions are already underway with Steyn City to renew the tournament for several more years. In fact, the scale of the event is expected to increase further, with future editions potentially accommodating up to 95 000 spectators, making it the biggest event on the LIV calendar, eclipsing even Australia.
“That’s a goal that I promised we would achieve, and we will. But beyond the numbers, LIV Golf sends a powerful message.
“It tells the world that South Africa is open – a country of unity, peace and cohesion. It tells the world that South Africa can host global events. And it tells the world that South Africa remains a destination for sport, tourism and culture,” the Minister said in Pretoria during a media briefing.
VAR football
The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture has allocated funding for the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system for South African football.
VAR is a technology-aided officiating system that is intended to assist on-field referees in making accurate decisions during a football match.
The VAR team monitors the game remotely on multiple screens and has real-time access to video footage of the match through multiple camera angles.
The technology continuously monitors play and automatically alerts the referee in case it deems that a wrong decision may have been made during the match.
Initial estimates indicate that implementing VAR in South Africa could cost as much as R80 million.
The department has transferred the first R20 million tranche to the South African Football Association (SAFA) as part of a three-year rollout plan.
“SAFA is the implementing authority, as required under FIFA governance structures. My office also conducted benchmarking internationally, including engagements in Spain and with Premier League Productions in the United Kingdom, where VAR operates in the most watched football league in the world.
“This project has not been approached lightly. And importantly, the final cost of implementing VAR has come in significantly lower than the figures we were originally told,” he said.
Formula One
With South Africa’s ambition to return to the Formula One calendar, the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture has secured the necessary government guarantee, marking a major milestone.
“Discussions with Formula One management are continuing as we work toward aligning the commercial and promotional aspects required to host a race.
“I would like to thank the companies that have stepped forward to support this vision — especially Betway, Discovery, MTN, Canal Plus and SuperSport.
“Their willingness to invest in Formula One in South Africa shows that the private sector believes in South Africa’s ability to host world-class events,” the Minister said.
Robben Island
This year also marks 30 years since Robben Island was declared a national heritage institution.
“Once a place of imprisonment and injustice, Robben Island today stands as a symbol of the triumph of the human spirit over adversity.
“Our department is implementing infrastructure upgrades to enhance the visitor experience and ensure that Robben Island remains one of the premier heritage sites in Africa, and one of the most visited and top museums on the continent,” the Minister said. -SAnews.gov.za
