As the African National Congress (ANC) prepares for the resumption of its 55th national conference and its annual January 8 Statement celebrations, the party will also be hosting a presidential golf day with a massive price tag to play with officials.
The ANC will hold its annual January 8 Statement celebrations this Sunday in Mangaung, Free State, to mark its 111th anniversary since its formation in 1912.
On Tuesday, ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula said it was all systems go for the events.
Fund raising events
Mabulala said there will be golf day and a gala dinner on Saturday, ahead of its birthday celebrations on Sunday.
Addressing the media from Luthuli House in Johannesburg, Mbalula said the events will be used to raise funds for the party.
“We don’t have money, we raise money – from people who’ve got money.”
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Massive prices
Mbalula said people were “questioning” the fundraising activities following reactions on social media about the Presidential Golf Day fundraiser.
According to a poster by the ANC, the party is charging R350 000 to play in a four-ball with President Cyril Ramaphosa, while to play with a minister or premier will cost R75 000.
The gala dinner seat and prices were equally exorbitant with individual chairs starting at R5 000 and going up to R95 000. Tables range from R760 000 to R1.2 million.
Funding political activities
“There’s no gun on your head. You voluntarily buy a table,” Mbalula said.
“Even if it is R2 million [for the presidential gala dinner], that money goes to the ANC to fund its political activities.”
In November, then ANC treasurer-general Paul Mashatile said the cash-strapped party planned to get rid of assets to pay off its debt.
Mashatile said the ANC would sell some of its assets, particularly those in other countries, in order for the governing party to fund the payment of R500 million in arrears.
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