The grip of money on South African politics may be so tight that it could be impossible to govern – or seek to govern – unless you are beholden to private money.The Political Party Funding Act was signed into law by President Cyril Ramaphosa early this year. It forces parties to disclose donations of R100 000 or more and sets up a Multi-Party Democracy Fund to which donors who want to support a range of parties can donate.
Toxic relationship In any democracy, such secrecy should trigger fears that government decisions will reflect not what voters want but what large donors require. In South Africa, the fear is particularly justified because the relationship between money and politics is close and toxic. The democracy fund may be partly inspired by corporations which donate openly to several parties as a social investment project. Public funding is allocated mainly in proportion to parties’ support at the last election, which favours big parties: the corporates use criteria which advantage smaller parties in the hope that this will “level the playing field”. The fund is meant to offer a larger vehicle for this democracy support.
Buying influence South Africa is trying to emerge from a decade in which private interests made deals with politicians and officials to make government work for them alone. The hearings of the commission of inquiry into “state capture”, chaired by deputy chief justice Raymond Zondo, regale the country with evidence of abuse of public money and trust.
At the same time, white-owned businesses recognised that they needed black partners; the only candidates they knew were the political activists who exhorted them to end racism – and so activism became a route to company boards. If Ramaphosa’s campaign funding were to cost him his presidency, he would no doubt be replaced by someone else who received large donations about which voters know nothing. This would apply even if the replacement led an opposition party.
Just waste of tym🤣🤣
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Presidency says Ramaphosa and ANC did no wrong in party funding issueFunds raised from private individuals on understanding of ‘no special favours’ 🤣🤣🤣 another fire pool moment Then why is the President adamant on keeping select funders, a secret? Is it because these if these funders if exposed, will show future favor? Saying Ramaphosa has done no wrong, and t the same time gagging court on revealing funders, is paradoxical. Hmm I wonder y😳😳
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Presidency says Ramaphosa and ANC did no wrong in party funding issueFunds raised from private individuals on understanding of ‘no special favours’ 🤣🤣🤣 another fire pool moment Then why is the President adamant on keeping select funders, a secret? Is it because these if these funders if exposed, will show future favor? Saying Ramaphosa has done no wrong, and t the same time gagging court on revealing funders, is paradoxical. Hmm I wonder y😳😳
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'We don't make donations to political parties' - AbsaBanking group Absa on Sunday rubbished claims that it made a donation to help fund President Cyril Ramaphosa's ANC presidential campaign. Interesting Pre-Paid White Monopoly President. Your executives did... RamaphosaMustFall Thats why they need to investigate whether Maria had anything to do with that.
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