By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Rise Mzansi, a newly minted political entity, has announced R15 million donation from Rebecca Oppenheimer, the granddaughter of the De Beers diamond empire’s founder.
This announcement was made on February 18, 2024.
Rise Mzansi said Main Street gave it R1m and InJozi Design and Kairo Communications, contributed R160,000 and R559,000 respectively, bringing total donation to R16.7 million in funding since its formation.
Political parties are obliged to declare donations above R100 000 and up to R15 million under the Political Party Funding Act.
Oppenheimer, who is the granddaughter of mining magnate Harry Oppenheimer, has over the last few years been donating to the DA and ActionSA.
Rise Mzansi leader Songezo Zibi said last year that they will declare their donors in public before the elections.
The party confirmed that it has received R16.7m from four donors since it was formed in April last year. It said it did not accept donations from just anyone.
“We also do not accept donations where we suspect the finds may be the proceeds of crime; or where prospective donors want to unduly influence our policies, politics and decision-making processes, “said Rise Mzansi chief organiser Makashule Gana.
“All our existing donors support us because they believe in our commitment to build a safe, prosperous, equal, and united country, where people live in happiness and dignity, in one generation. They also accept the conditions set out above.”
Since launching Rise Mzansi has embarked on a monthslong endeavour to consult with South Africans from all walks of life in all nine provinces to gauge the issues plaguing ordinary citizens.
The African National Congress (ANC) is still widely expected to win the most votes but if it drops below 50%, it would have to form a coalition to keep Cyril Ramaphosa as president.
The Democratic Alliance is the main opposition party and the leftist Economic Freedom Fighters party has grown in popularity under firebrand leader Julius Malema and is the third biggest in Parliament.
South Africa is Africa’s most developed economy but is facing major challenges including widening inequality and rising levels of unemployment and poverty.
Analysts say that further failure to address these issues may lead to social unrest. In 2021, more than 300 people died in violent riots, a worrying outburst of public disorder in one of Africa’s leading lights.