The Electoral Commission’s first quarter disclosure report for the current financial year
highlights minimal fundraising by political parties. Three political parties
managed to attract a mixed donor support. The three parties are ActionSA, the
African National Congress (ANC), and the Democratic Alliance (DA).
It is significant that these three
parties almost always make declarations since the commencement of the
disclosure requirement for political donations. These three political parties
have remained consistent in disclosing donations, save for ActionSA, which did
not make any declaration in the third quarter of the previous financial year.
Total
Value of Declared Donations
The total declared
donations in the first quarter amounted to R40 410 474.29. This amount
is more than double that reported in the last two quarters of the previous
financial year. The total amounts disclosed in the last two quarters of the
year were R14 186 594.00 and R18 364 505.19, respectively.
It is anticipated that
this upward trend will continue in the lead-up to the 2026/27 Local Government
Elections (LGE2026/27).
Value of
Declared Donations per Party
|
Political Party
|
/Value Of
Donations
|
|
Democratic
Alliance (DA
|
-R 32 229 474.29
|
|
African
National Congress (ANC)
|
-R 7 661 000.00
|
|
ActionSA
|
-R 520 000.00
|
|
Total
|
-R40 410 474.29
|
Democratic
Alliance (DA) – R32 229 474.29
The DA emerged as the
largest beneficiary of political donations in this quarter, receiving over R32.2
million from thirteen different donors. The party’s fundraising success is
driven by a blend of institutional, international, and individual donors.
The most substantial donation, R15
million, was made by Fynbos Kapitaal (Pty) Ltd, a company linked to Capitec
founder Michiel le Roux, on 24 June 2025. This was followed closely by another
R10 million donation from Fynbos Ekwiteit (Pty) Ltd on the same date. While
both entities appear to share the same ownership, they are distinct juristic
persons and each therefore has its own applicable donation threshold.
A further R2 million came from
Jufrapi Investment (Pty) Ltd on 23 June 2025, an entity owned by Petrus
Johannes Mouton, who holds directorships at Capitec, CURRO Holdings, PSG
Financial Services, and PSG Group.
The DA’s additional donations
included:
- Main Street 1564 (Pty) Ltd –
R1,465,265.00
- Friedrich Naumann Foundation (FNF) –
In-kind donation valued at R1,011,143.53 for training and skills development
- Michael Stekhoven – R1,000,000.00
- Estate of Melroy Sylvia Meyer –
R570,208.05
- Rustdene Investments – R300,000.00
- Dalib Investments (Pty) Ltd –
R250,000.00
- Discovery Central Services –
R250,000.00
- Mrs Gina Liebenberg – R150,000.00
- Dr Mark John Burke – R132,856.71
- Mr Robert Breyer – R100,001.00
African
National Congress (ANC) – R7 661 000.00
The ANC declared the
second-largest amount this quarter receiving R7.6 million in donations. The entire
amount came from Chancellor House which is also a regular donor to the party.
ActionSA
– R520 000
ActionSA declared donations
amounting to R520 000.00. The donations came from a single individual who is
also the party leader, businessman, Mr Herman Mashaba.
Multi-Party
Democracy Fund (MPDF)
During the reporting
quarter, the MPDF received a contribution of R250 000 from Discovery Central
Services, which also donated the same amount to the DA. Following recent public
engagement efforts, including a symposium in June 2025 and campaigns in early
2025. It is hoped that the fund will attract further contributions in the
lead-up to the LGE2026/27.
Regulatory
Update: Donation Thresholds Increased
On 20 May 2025, the National Assembly resolved, under section 24(1) of
the Political Funding Act to amend the limits on political donations. In terms
of the presidential gazette these revised limits are effective from 18 August
2025. The limits have been revised as follows:
- The
minimum threshold for disclosure has been raised from R100 000 to R200 000
- The
maximum annual allowable donation by a single donor has increased from R15
million to R30 million
ISSUED BY THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION
Ensuring free and fair elections
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