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]]>The Electoral Commission has released its first quarter disclosure report for the current financial year, highlighting minimal fundraising by political parties. Only three political parties managed to attract donor support: 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. They have remained consistent in reporting donations, except 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 for the first quarter amounted to R40,410,474.29.
This figure is more than double the amounts reported in the last two quarters of the previous financial year:
R14,186,594.00 in Quarter 3
R18,364,505.19 in Quarter 4
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) R32,229,474.29
African National Congress (ANC) R7,661,000.00
ActionSA R520,000.00
Total R40,410,474.29
Democratic Alliance (DA) – R32,229,474.29
The DA emerged as the largest beneficiary this quarter, receiving over R32.2 million from thirteen donors. Contributions came from a blend of institutional, international, and individual donors.
The most substantial donation was R15 million from Fynbos Kapitaal (Pty) Ltd, linked to Capitec founder Michiel le Roux (24 June 2025).
This was followed by R10 million from Fynbos Ekwiteit (Pty) Ltd on the same date. Though both entities appear to share the same ownership, they are distinct juristic persons with separate thresholds.
Jufrapi Investment (Pty) Ltd, owned by Petrus Johannes Mouton (director at Capitec, CURRO Holdings, PSG Financial Services, and PSG Group), donated R2 million on 23 June 2025.
Additional donations to the DA included:
Main Street 1564 (Pty) Ltd – R1,465,265.00
Friedrich Naumann Foundation (FNF) – In-kind donation valued at R1,011,143.53 (training & 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, receiving R7.6 million, entirely from Chancellor House, a regular donor to the party.
ActionSA – R520,000.00
ActionSA declared R520,000.00 in donations this quarter, all from a single individual—the party leader and businessman, Mr Herman Mashaba.
Multi-Party Democracy Fund (MPDF)
During the reporting quarter, the MPDF received R250,000 from Discovery Central Services, which also donated the same amount to the DA.
Following public engagement efforts—such as the June 2025 symposium and earlier campaigns in 2025—it is hoped that the fund will attract further contributions ahead of 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.
As gazetted, the new limits took effect on 18 August 2025:
The minimum threshold for disclosure was raised from R100,000 to R200,000
The maximum annual allowable donation by a single donor increased from R15 million to R30 million.
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