ANC says Ezulweni debt settled as it charges up to R500,000 for seat at gala dinner

Although the African National Congress (ANC) is not yet 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 respond to the needs to citizens,” she told Sunday Times.

In the build-up to the party’s 112th birthday celebration on Saturday, the ruling party embarked on fundraising initiatives including the presidential golf day at the Mbombela Golf Club in Mpumalanga on Thursday, followed by the gala dinner on Friday evening.

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

ALSO READ: Don’t play ‘Phakama Ramaphosa’ at January 8, gatvol artist tells ANC

With packages starting from R20,000, it reportedly cost about R250,000 with other 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.

On Friday evening, the party will host a gala dinner, where people are expected to fork out at least R50,000 for a seat at the table.

According to the publication, one of the 60 tables at the dinner costs R500,000.

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

About 600 guests are expected to attend the event, Ramokgopa told the publication.

At the fundraising dinner, Ramaphosa will give a preview statement.

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 chairperson Michael Beaumont said this week.

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

ALSO READ: ANC, Ezulweni Investments reach settlement after R102 million debt dispute

She told EWN: “I don’t know why I should account to an opposition party. Are they not campaigning? Don’t they have policies to communicate to South Africans? Why don’t they mind their own business and allow us to mind our business?”