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Eyewitness News
an hour ago
- Business
- Eyewitness News
Godongwana thinks political parties should be wholly funded from national fiscus
CAPE TOWN - Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana is of the view that political parties should be wholly funded from the national fiscus and not have to accept private donations. Speaking to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC)'s political funding conference in Durban on Thursday, Godongwana said it's unacceptable that some political parties don't submit annual audited financial statements. Godongwana's own political party, the African National Congress (ANC), was among those fined by the Electoral Court last year for falling foul of the law in this regard. The finance minister questioned whether the IEC was the appropriate body to keep political parties in check over their finances, saying it puts the institution at risk of accusations of bias and a lack of independence. "I'm from the ANC. When they do it to us, we say they've been captured. When they do it to another party, they say Ramaphosa has sent them." With a court challenge still pending over plans to double the annual private funding limit to R30 million, while also raising the threshold for declaring donations to R200,000, Godongwana said he hoped the matter was settled before next year's local government elections. He said that the conference should consider the implications of political parties purely being funded by the state. "That raises the question: What is the optimal level of funding and what is the criteria for that? We complain that departments are inefficient. Should we fund political parties for inefficiencies as well?" Godongwana also hinted that if the revenue allowed, more money could be set aside to fund next year's local government election, in addition to the R1.4 billion already allocated in this year's budget.
The Herald
6 hours ago
- Politics
- The Herald
Time to discuss the youth — but maybe not
Opinion Given all the spectacles of human weakness, wickedness and wilful self-delusion, Youth Day was quiet Premium 20 June 2025 It's been a startling few days, not least for the great and the good (and also some ANC people) roped into President Cyril Ramaphosa's National Dialogue™ (terms and condition apply), who learnt over the weekend that the process will cost about R700m, presumably because their musings will be engraved directly onto sheets of platinum. According to Mduduzi Mbada, deputy president Paul Mashatile's chief of staff, the reason for this price tag is that 'democracy is not cheap', which is, I suppose, why the Guptas paid so much for it when they bought it from some of Mashatile's current and former colleagues. ..
IOL News
7 hours ago
- Politics
- IOL News
The political gamble of Floyd Shivambu: Is he overestimating his popularity?
Floyd Shivambu's political maneuvers raise questions about his future in MK and the potential for a new party. As he navigates a treacherous political landscape, will he succeed or face expulsion?" Image: X/floydshivambu Call South African politics and politicians many things but predictable is not one of them. Fresh from Liam Jacobs crossing over from the Democratic Alliance to his political nemesis, The Patriotic Alliance, South Africans were treated to another bombshell this week. Former EFF founder turned former uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) Secretary General, Floyd Shivambu announced he was mulling the idea of forming a new party of his own - but not yet. He will remain a member of MK for now. Confused? Don't be. Its the chess game of politics. Shivambu is pulling off the same stunt as that of former president Jacob Zuma, now MK leader. Remember how Zuma made the shocking announcement he was leading MK while still a member of the ANC in 2023? He was later expelled from the ANC and returned leading the pack with MK's spectacular victory at the last general elections. Malema did the same when he too was expelled from the ANC in 2012 - and went on to form the EFF together with Shivambu. The EFF too, drew massive support away from the ANC, which was the catalyst of the party's subsequent decline. Shivambu is playing the same game. Mudding the political waters. Daring the MK to expel him. Except he is not Zuma. Or Malema. South Africans don't take well to political chameleons. Party hopping does not work unless you are a huge political figure. Shivambu is a well known figure - but not a powerful leader in his own right. He was given wings by parties led by powerful public figures who command support. Shivambu was the think-tank behind the EFF and later MK strategist and national organiser. Less than a year after joining MK, Shivambu's wings were clipped before he could fly. Was that the issue? Was Shivambu seen as a threat within MK by Zuma's inner circle? His feud with Zuma's daughter Duduzile played out on social media as she unleashed her fury at his character, calling him the 'worst thing to happen to MK'. And, despite her apology, its well known the animosity between them persisted. The tussle for Zuma's ear and ultimately control of the party. Shivambu certainly hinted at that. His axing as MK Secretary General was the final clipping of his wings and clearly ruffled his feathers enough for him to make the decision to go out on his own - at some point. Shivambu no doubt has the backing of funders who call the tune. That's just how it works. Those who pay the piper, call the tune. But is Shivambu overestimating his popularity in taking on MK and the EFF? Calling the EFF a 'cult' and Zuma 'gullible' is hardly a recipe for success when those leaders still command a massive following, especially on the ground. And more critically, Shivambu lacks the charm - crucial when mobilising support at grass roots level. Both Malema and Zuma use their personal populism which appeals to their support base. Malema, a political demagogue, uses his kill the boer song to rile African support while Zuma's identity in Zulu tribalism is his draw card. Both the EFF and MK have leaders as their brand identities. Shivambu taking them on is brave but a huge miscalculation. Already, the response to him potentially forming his own party is being shot down by most South Africans. Social media is abuzz as South Africans weigh in. Shivambu is being called out as not trust worthy for visiting fraud accused fugitive pastor Shepherd Bushiri. He is also being taken to task for remaining within MK while talking of forming a new party. His bold announcement may have backfired. During his media briefing, a confident Shivambu threw several salvos at MK - a party he still remains a member of. He accused Zuma of being surrounded by 'political scoundrels' who he said 'take drugs and tweet at night' - a thinly veiled reference to Duduzile, the only one who has openly criticised Shivambu with her late night tweets previously. Clearly Shivambu is being led to believe the time is right for another political party. Its a path many before him have followed, some popular, others simply overestimating their popularity. And, despite the misguided reference to Zuma as 'gullible,' Shivambu knows too well his days with MK are numbered. He will be expelled. Others before him faced the same fate for far less transgressions within the party. Zuma will not tolerate Shivambu campaigning for another party while within the MK. And Shivambu's expulsion is not a question of if - but when. And, given Zuma's fury at Shivambu, that expulsion is likely to be fast and furious. Until then, Shivambu is a man on the ledge. ** Zohra Teke is an independent writer and journalist. *** The views expressed here do not necessarily represent those of Independent Media or IOL IOL Opinion Zohra Teke Image: Independent Newspapers
IOL News
7 hours ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Shivambu remains with Zuma's party despite plans for new political formation
Floyd Shivambu. Image: Tumi Pakkies FORMER uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) secretary-general Floyd Shivambu will remain a member of the Jacob Zuma-led party despite his intention of forming a new political party. "I'm saying that we are going to consult with the people of South Africa and if uMkhonto weSizwe believes that going to listen to people violates that constitution then it will tell me that." His stance appears to mirror Zuma's move when he refused to terminate his ANC membership after he had announced that he would be leading the MK Party. Shivambu told a media briefing in Johannesburg that his removal from his position was due to a fake intelligence report claiming he wanted to overthrow Zuma. According to Shivambu, the fake intelligence report alleged that he was accumulating supernatural powers to make people disappear and was plotting to dethrone Zuma. "It was extremely bizarre and a fake intelligence report that I was about to overthrow Zuma and that I had supernatural powers to make people disappear." Shivambu claimed that Zuma is surrounded by "political scoundrels" who are taking advantage of his age and kindness to influence him to make decisions that favour their agendas. He further alleged that these individuals are siphoning off millions from the party and that his leadership was being undermined. Shivambu's demotion was announced by the party on June 3, with the reason cited as his visit to fugitive pastor Shepherd Bushiri's church in Malawi over the Easter weekend. However, Shivambu said Zuma had initially agreed to his trip to Malawi, but later reversed his decision after being influenced by those around him. Shivambu's future in the party has been uncertain since his removal as secretary-general. In response, he announced that he would consult with various communities and groups to gauge whether he should launch his own political party. Shivambu said he would never join the ANC because it was disorganised and the EFF a cult.
IOL News
8 hours ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Floyd Shivambu has brickbats and bouquets thrown at him online
Floyd Shivambu removes his hat during a media briefing on Thursday where he announced the formation of a new political movement. Shivambu says despite this, he will never resign from the MK Party. Floyd Shivambu gave the clearest indication yet of his political future at a no-holds-barred press conference yesterday, garnering him both brickbats and bouquets from users on X: @AllNewsNetwork2 He is talking like the president of a country. The guy is an intellectual. #floydshivambu @limphoseeiso_ He's forming a new party while still a member of another party, he's surely learned a lot from Zuma. @mixedracedUncle Floyd Shivambu just called Jacob Zuma a gullible old man, and then said his daughter Duduzile Zuma is on drugs, and mentioned that there are scoundrels in the MK party stealing millions of rands every month. @Tania84928222 When Floyd said South Africa is not divided when it comes to aspirations all South Africans want the same things, that's when I knew this man is sound and sober. We need to fight all the leaders who are trying to divide us while they live lavish lives. We are the power #floydshivambu @fighting4SA A classic example of being educated and stupid at the same time! @FutureBite No man, this guy is a good leader. @Givencape What i learned about #floydshivambu is if you don't stand up for yourself, people will always bully you . He just decided to stand up for himself. @LindoMyeni Floyd Shivambu makes it clear he has no intention of returning to the ANC or the EFF.'The ANC is directionless, doesn't know what it's doing, and is in collaboration with the white system. And the EFF is a cult.' @EversonLuhanga Floyd Shivambu says he's not afraid to speak out against the untouchables – 'those who take drugs, tweet at night and insult us.' This comes after MK Party MP Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla fired insults at him on X. @Zah_KhanyileH HAIBO! Now that Floyd is suddenly giving lessons on bravery and speaking out, why didn't he have the courage to tell @Julius_S_Malema to his face that he was a dictator running a cult when Malema asked him, 'What did I do to you? @neo_manezzy Having an MK membership is like being a full time patient at Weskoppies mos. @TheGreatKhali95 Mampara of the year #floydshivambu DAILY NEWS
