This paper forms reveals some of the sources of the private funding of political parties in South Africa.  It is part of a joint project by ISS and IDASA, funded by the Open Society Foundation (OSF).  Authors of the researcher are Vicki Robinson and Stefaans Brummer, from the Mail & Guardian.

Amongst other the paper discusses:

• An overview of past party funding scandals ­ and the impact this has had on democracy
• The importance of regulating the private funding of political parties in South Africa
• Sources of funding for the opposition Democratic Alliance (DA)
• A detailed case study of a Trust (Chancellor House) established by the ANC - and that has benefited from SA government contracts
• A partnership between Chancellor House and Viktor Vekselberg (one of the wealthiest Russian oligarchs). Together they have secured access, through a government tender process, to the worlds largest untapped Manganese reserves located in SA. Manganese is a strategic natural resource used in the production of steel.
• Concerns that the important policy of Black Economic Empowerment (intended to deracialise ownership of the economy) may in some instances be subverted to suit narrow political and personal interests.
• The need to regulate party funding and ensure that there is not a conflation of party, state and business in South Africa.
• The importance of ensuring that party funding does not drown out the voice of the majority in favour of wealthy corporate and private donors.

For further resources on this issue, see the party funding website: www.whofundswho.org.za