PRETORIA: Three South African political parties have reported significant monetary and in-kind donations from donors in the first quarter of the 2025/26 financial year. The parties are ActionSA, the African National Congress (ANC), and the Democratic Alliance (DA), which received a lion’s share.
The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) announced on Thursday, 28 August, that the disclosure of donations received for the first quarter for the current financial year, highlights significant fundraising by political parties. The Commission stated that the total declared donations in the first quarter amounted to R40 410 474.29. Combined, the amount reportedly exceeds the last two quarters of the previous financial year, R14 186 594.00 and R18 364 505.19, respectively.
“It is significant that these three parties almost always make declarations since the commencement of the disclosure requirement for political donations. It is anticipated that this upward trend will continue in the lead-up to the 2026/27 Local Government Elections,” said the Commission.
According to the Commission, the three parties have remained consistent in disclosing donations. However, ActionSA reportedly did not make any declaration in the third quarter of the previous financial year.
The DA: R32.2 million. The John Steenhuisen-led party received donations from 13 different donors, which include institutional, international and individual donors. The DA’s most substantial donation of R15 million came from Fynbos Kapitaal (Pty) Ltd, a company linked to Capitec founder Michiel le Roux, followed by R10 million from Fynbos Ekwiteit (Pty) Ltd. A further R2 million came from Jufrapi Investment (Pty) Ltd, 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 the following:
• 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
• Gina Liebenberg: R150,000.00
• Dr Mark John Burke: R132,856.71
• Robert Breyer: R100,001.00
ANC: followed in second place with R7 661 000. The Cyril Ramaphosa-led party’s significant donation of R7.6 million came from Chancellor House, a regular donor to the party.
• ActionSA: The party is in third position receiving 520 000. The donation came from a single individual, the party leader and businessman Herman Mashaba.
The Commission said that during the reporting quarter, the Multi-Party Democracy Fund (MPDF) received a contribution of R250 000 from Discovery Central Services, which also donated the same amount to the DA. The Commission stated that on 20 May this year, 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 this year.
The Commission stated that 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.
