There’s nothing wrong with ActionSA, DA having the same donors: Political analyst

Political analyst Dr Ralph Mathekga says there is nothing wrong with ActionSA  and the Democratic Alliance (DA) having the same donors.

At least six political parties have revealed their funders in line with the Political Party Funding Act.

They include the African National Congress (ANC), the DA, African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP), Good Party,  ActionSA and the Abantu Integrity Movement.

All parties are expected to disclose funding amounting to over R100 000 to the Electoral Commission (IEC).

IEC’s report on political party funding: Lulu White

The IEC report has revealed that the Oppenheimer family, businessman Martin Moshal and Naspers collectively donated over R30 million to ActionSA and the Democratic Alliance ahead of the recent local government elections.

Mathekga says it is good for democracy to have small parties funded by donors of big parties.

In September the Electoral Commission reported that the majority of political parties in South Africa are not receiving much in direct donations from private individuals.

The statement was revealed by the Electoral Commission (IEC) in its first quarterly report detailing all declarations made by political parties in line with the Political Funding Act.

The Act, which came into force in April 2021, requires political parties and their donors to disclose to the IEC donations of above R100 000 and the IEC to publish this information every three months.

IEC briefing on political party funding: