The Democratic Alliance (DA) secured more than R32 million in the first quarter of the 2025/26 financial year, according to the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC).
This made it the largest beneficiary in the latest political funding disclosure report, accounting for nearly 80% of all declared donations this quarter.
The DA’s largest contributions came from two companies linked to Capitec founder Michiel le Roux, Fynbos Kapitaal and Fynbos Ekwiteit, which donated R15 million and R10 million, respectively.
Le Roux is South Africa’s fifth-richest man with an estimated fortune of $2.6 billion (R460 billion).
Major Donors Drive Political Funding
Other significant backers included Jufrapi Investment, owned by businessman Petrus Johannes Mouton, and Main Street 1564, which contributed R1.46 million.
The donations illustrate the continued influence of wealthy individuals and corporate entities in political party financing.
The Friedrich Naumann Foundation also provided just over R1 million in in-kind support for training and skills development.
Additional donations from smaller local and individual contributors ranged between R100 000 and R1 million, reflecting a mix of domestic and international support.
ANC and ActionSA Trail Behind
The African National Congress (ANC) declared R7.6 million in donations in the quarter, primarily from its investment arm, Chancellor House.
ActionSA reported R520 000 – all donated by party leader Herman Mashaba.
Compared with the DA, these figures highlight the DA’s dominance in attracting funding from a concentrated donor base.
Overall Donations Increase
Total political donations for the quarter reached R40.4 million, more than double the amounts reported in the last two quarters of the previous financial year.
Under section 24(1), the National Assembly amended the Political Funding Act to change political donation limits.
The changes, gazetted for implementation on 18 August 2025, include raising the minimum disclosure threshold from R100 000 to R200 000 and increasing the maximum annual allowable donation per donor from R15 million to R30 million.
Why do you think donors are happy to pump money into the DA?
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