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South African billionaire Patrice Motsepe has spread his political bets across the aisle, disclosing donations worth about R62.5 million (≈US$3.5 million) to six parties since September 2021, according to filings with the Independent Electoral Commission and watchdog tallies.
Most of the money went to the ANC—R45.5 million—while the DA received R9.3 million. The EFF (R4.9 million), IFP (R1.5 million), Freedom Front Plus (R1.1 million) and ACDP (R240,000) made up the rest. The cheques flowed through Motsepe-linked companies including African Rainbow Minerals, Harmony Gold Mining and Botho Botho Commercial Enterprises.
Motsepe, who built his fortune in mining and is related by marriage to President Cyril Ramaphosa, has been open about the strategy: fund several players to back “a competitive democracy,” as he put it in a France 24 interview. He often calls the ANC “Mandela’s party,” but says transparency and accountability are better served when support isn’t limited to one camp. He’s also brushed off suggestions that family ties influence where the money goes.
The figures land in a new era for political finance. After a 2018 Constitutional Court ruling, South Africa’s Political Funding Act took effect in 2021, forcing disclosure of donations above R200,000 and capping annual contributions at R30 million per donor—rules the IEC now polices. The law has dragged more of the country’s campaign money into the daylight just as scrutiny of both donors and parties intensifies ahead of national votes.
Big-ticket private funding isn’t new to South African politics, but the sums—and the spread across rival parties—showcase how business heavyweights are shaping the contest of ideas, and footing more of the bill for it.
