Big bucks to tee off with Ramaphosa

Although the ANC is not out of the woods yet, it has managed to meet its financial obligations, says treasurer-general Gwen Ramokgopa.

“We have been able to stabilise our finances to the extent that we are able to execute our task of managing democracy, monitoring the effectiveness of government and responding to the needs citizens,” she said.

In the build-up to the party’s 112th birthday celebrations today, the ruling party embarked on fundraising initiatives including the presidential golf day at the Mbombela Golf Club in Mpumalanga on Thursday, followed by a gala dinner last night.

It cost R500 000 to play with Ramaphosa, with more affordable options offered to play with other ANC leaders.

With packages starting from R20 000, it reportedly cost about R250 000 for ANC leaders such as Ramokgopa, R150 000 for members of the national executive committee and R100 000 to play with members of the provincial executive.

According to the Progressive Business Forum, the event was sold out. Last night, the party hosted a gala dinner, with people expected to have forked out at least R50 000 for a seat at the table.

According to the forum, one of the 60 tables at the dinner cost R500 000.

The president’s table will no longer be the usual round one, Ramokgopa said, as the party had opted for a long table that can be extended.

About 600 guests were expected to attend the event, Ramokgopa said.

Ramaphosa was expected to give a preview statement at the fundraising dinner.

The events come just days after the ANC settled matters with Ezulweni, a company that took the ruling party to court over its R102 million bill for election campaign materials.

While the ruling party will start its campaign on a clean slate, ActionSA has demanded to know where the ANC found the money for the settlement.

“The notion that this R102 million settlement of its debt should be accepted at face value is offensive to a country that suffers under the impact of decades of greed and corruption,” ActionSA chair Michael Beaumont said.

However, Ramokgopa said she is not obliged to account to an opposition party.

“Why don’t they mind their own business and allow us to mind our business?”