South Africa’s Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie has congratulated Rwanda over its reported 2030 Formula 1 deal, while insisting his country will also get a race before then.
“We are happy for Rwanda’s 2030 F1. They have worked on it longer than SA and deserve it,” McKenzie said in a post on X on Wednesday.
He argued that Rwanda’s reported race should not prevent South Africa from securing its own place on the Formula 1 calendar.
“Remember though that one country, Italy, has had two F1s a year, and some react like a continent of 55 countries can only get one,” he said.
“SA will get F1, even before 2030.”
McKenzie’s comments came after RacingNews365 reported that Rwanda had reached an agreement to host a Formula 1 Grand Prix in 2030, with an official announcement expected later this year.
Rwanda, however, has not officially announced or confirmed the reported 2030 agreement.
The latest report follows Rwanda’s long-running efforts to bring Formula 1 to the country.
President Paul Kagame formally announced Rwanda’s bid in December 2024 during the FIA General Assemblies and Prize Giving Ceremony in Kigali.
“I am happy to formally announce that Rwanda is bidding to bring the thrill of racing back to Africa, by hosting a Formula 1 Grand Prix,” Kagame said at the time.
He also thanked Formula 1 president and CEO Stefano Domenicali for what he described as good progress in their discussions.
Rwanda has since continued work on plans for a circuit capable of hosting the race.
A permanent circuit is planned near Bugesera International Airport, about 40 kilometres from Kigali. The project has been linked to WurzDesign, founded by former Formula 1 driver Alexander Wurz.
For now, however, the reported 2030 race remains unconfirmed by the Rwandan government and Formula 1.
Formula 1 last raced in Africa at the 1993 South African Grand Prix at Kyalami.
South Africa has since pushed to bring the championship back, with Kyalami and Cape Town among the locations linked to a possible return.
McKenzie’s comments suggest South Africa is not giving up on its own F1 ambitions, even if Rwanda secures the reported 2030 race.
For Rwanda, the next step is an official announcement confirming whether the reported agreement has been reached.
