Dr. Gwen Ramokgopa, recently elected ANC treasurer general, reiterated the resolution of the ANC’s 55th elective conference that the Political Party Financing Act should be reviewed, among other proposed mechanisms for the party to obtain more funding. In addition to amending the political finance law, the party is also aiming for more funding from parliament and the IEC to address its financial difficulties.
Ramokgopa says these calls are fair because South Africans need to finance democracy through the public purse.
She was speaking after ANC Chairman Cyril Ramaphosa’s speech at the Dr. Petrus Molemela Stadium, where the ANC made its annual statement on January 8 to celebrate its 111th anniversary.
“It is important that South Africans, with public funds, finance democracy through political parties that participate in elections. We have our fair share of IEC now with the current dispensation, but we think the amount can increase in terms of what is given,” says Ramokgopa.
Under the Political Party Funding Act, which came into force two years ago, parties are required to disclose donations of more than R100,000 from a single donor every quarter.
Parties are also, by law, unable to receive more than R15m from a single donor in a year, something the ANC has resolved at Nasrec and which should be increased to R100m or eliminated altogether.
“Secondly, we need to amend the law to lift the ceiling on donations, and lastly, we also need to strengthen the law to make it very clear for the public in South Africa to appreciate that the democracy that is in our constitution must be managed. by political parties that adhere to patriotism, the constitution, etc. I am very happy that message has gained traction and I am thrilled that our golf day and gala dinner have been oversubscribed,” says Ramokgopa.
ANC general treasurer Dr Gwen Ramokgopa says South Africans in the public purse need to finance democracy through political parties running in elections. She was responding to a question about the party’s push for more funds from the public purse. #ANC111 #SABCNEWS pic.twitter.com/DZZSTX1C1M
— Sifo King K Kekana (@KingKAzania) January 8, 2023
The disclosure requirement is cited as one of the reasons why the ANC is experiencing financial problems, recently in the news for failing to pay its own staff, as donors are believed to be pulling out because they do not want to be disclosed as donors. .
Ramokgopa says this is also a conversation that needs to be had to ensure that companies in South Africa are comfortable with being seen as “funding democracy” by donating to political parties.
The need for parties to disclose donations in excess of R100,000 each quarter, under the Political Party Financing Act, is one of the reasons why the #AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS He wants the act to be reviewed. TG’s Dr Gwen Ramokgopa says companies must also feel comfortable “funding democracy”. #SABCNews #ANC111 pic.twitter.com/pOkjcr9HHn
— Sifo King K Kekana (@KingKAzania) January 8, 2023
The former mayor of the city of Tshwane says one of her main priorities in her new role is to obtain the party’s books to ensure that the days of the party not paying its staff are a thing of the past.
The days when ANC staff are not paid should be a thing of the past. That’s according to the ANC’s newly elected treasurer general, Dr. Gwen Ramokgopa. She was talking on the sidelines #AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS January 8 Statement at the Dr. Petrus Molemela Stadium in Bloemfontein. #ANC111 #SABCNEWS pic.twitter.com/OITSAEiSfK
— Sifo King K Kekana (@KingKAzania) January 8, 2023
ANC Chairman Cyril Ramaphosa earlier addressed thousands of ANC supporters who descended on the Dr. Molemela Stadium about what the party’s plans were for 2023.
Party renewal; resolution of the energy crisis and end of blackouts; reconstruction and economic recovery to create jobs; and improving the provision of basic services are some of the key issues that Ramaphosa announced will be the party’s priorities for 2023.
It has also criticized the imposition of economic sanctions against Venezuela, Iran, Cuba, Syria,
Zimbabwe “and in other places where such sanctions have been imposed unilaterally and unjustifiably,
causing immense suffering and hardship to the ordinary citizens of these countries.”
He has blamed the migration of Zimbabweans to neighboring countries on the economic difficulties they face at home.
Sanctions on Zimbabwe weaken the Zimbabwean economy, leaving Zimbabweans with no choice but to go to Botswana and South Africa because they are exposed to harsh economic conditions. We say those sanctions must be lifted: Ramaphosa. #SABCNews #ANC111
— Sifo King K Kekana (@KingKAzania) January 8, 2023
Ramaphosa says the party is calling for the lifting of those sanctions.
#AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS supports calls for the lifting of punitive sanctions against Venezuela, Iran, Cuba, Syria,
Zimbabwe and elsewhere where such sanctions have been imposed unilaterally and unjustifiably,
causing immense suffering and hardship to ordinary citizens: Ramaphosa. #SABCNews #ANC111— Sifo King K Kekana (@KingKAzania) January 8, 2023
