ANC Launches Crowdfunding Campaign for Financial Stability and Election Readiness

In a bid to solidify its financial footing and gear up for the 2024 National and Provincial General Elections, South Africa's ruling party, the African National Congress (ANC), is reaching out to the public through a newly-launched crowdfunding campaign. The announcement was made by ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa during the Progressive Business Forum's (PBF) annual Presidential Gala Dinner in Mbombela, Mpumalanga, as the party prepared to celebrate its 112th birthday.

The fundraising strategy is designed to be inclusive and accessible, offering two methods for making pledges. For smaller contributions, a simple SMS code facilitates donations between R10 and R30. Those wishing to contribute more significantly can use an Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) system to pledge amounts ranging from R100 to R99,000.

This initiative is part of the ANC’s commitment to renewal, rebuilding, and strengthening, as highlighted by President Ramaphosa during the gala, which saw spirited participation, including donations up to half a million Rand for seats at the president’s table. According to the party’s website, an infusion of public donations is expected to equip it for a "decisive win" in the upcoming elections and support the party's adherence to its 55th Conference resolutions, Manifesto Declarations, and National Programme of Action.

The crowdfunding campaign represents a grassroots approach to financial self-sufficiency and is a direct response to the ANC’s historical money woes. In recent years, the party has struggled to pay staff and creditors, leading to website crashes and the re-hosting of its archive. Although there have been protests over unpaid salaries and contributions at the ANC headquarters, the party’s national spokesperson and the Treasurer General have recently reported a stabilization in finances, affirming the ability to meet obligations and respond to citizens' needs.

Furthermore, the crowdfunding effort comes on the heels of the ANC settling a hefty debt with Ezulweni Investments, related to campaign materials from the 2019 elections, emphasizing the urgency to establish steady financial support systems. This method of financing is expected to bridge the gap between the party and its supporters, including those who cannot be present at fundraising events. By encouraging ordinary and extraordinary South Africans to pledge support, the ANC is underscored as a collective movement dedicated to transformative progress in the nation.

The initiative is not only about survival but also a commitment to the tasks at hand—managing democracy, ensuring government effectiveness, and addressing issues critical to South Africans, such as tackling the genocide case against Israel, rooting out corruption, ending blackouts, alleviating poverty, and curbing crime.

President Ramaphosa's statement on January 8th will address these themes, underlining a pivotal year for the ANC as it seeks both financial rejuvenation and victory at the polls.