ANC Says DA Raises More Funds Because It Is Backed by White Males Who Largely Own the Economy

The ANC has blamed the DA’s stronger fundraising on support from white males who own most of South Africa’s economy, as parties prepare for local government elections next month.

ANC elections head Mdumiseni Ntuli said this week that donations to his party have been lower than expected. He argued this should not surprise anyone, given who controls the country’s wealth.a

“Remember who owns the South African economy — it is largely whites and white males,” Ntuli said. “In many respects, they have been part of that ownership long before our liberation in 1994. The DA goes hand in hand with their political views on what ideological position the country should be taking tomorrow. So they will channel their resources where they believe their ideals will be championed.”

He added that the weak economy has made fundraising difficult for all parties. When businesses struggle, they are less willing to give money to political campaigns.

The DA has received the bulk of recent declared donations. In the latest quarterly report from the Electoral Commission of South Africa, the party took in R104 million — about 89% of all donations listed across parties. The DA says the slow economy has not hit its campaign as hard as others.

South Africa’s local elections are set for 4 November 2026. Parties have been putting up posters and preparing campaigns, but many have complained about unequal access to private funding. The ANC, as the largest party, also receives the biggest share of public funding from the state, yet its officials say private donations remain essential for a full campaign.

Ntuli’s comments highlight the ongoing debate about economic ownership more than 30 years after democracy. The ANC has long argued that historical patterns still shape who can donate large sums, while the DA and other parties say they attract support from a broad range of voters and businesses that prefer their policies.

Observers note that such statements often surface during election periods when parties explain their financial positions to supporters and the public. With just over a week left before the polls, both the ANC and DA are expected to intensify their campaigns despite the funding differences.

Source: https://x.com/TimesLIVE/status/2114232278582763637

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