On 18-19 June 2025 the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) hosted its first ever symposium on political funding in South Africa, at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Umhlanga, Durban. This inaugural symposium was opened by the IEC’s Chairperson, Mr Mosotho Moepya, who was followed by the IEC’s Chief Electoral Officer, Mr Sy Mamabolo, who set the scene on the purpose of the symposium. Mr George Mahlangu, the Deputy CEO in the IEC’s Political Funding Unit, painted a picture of the political funding journey in South Africa, highlighting the successes and challenges.
The Symposium was centred around the IEC’s implementation of the Political Funding Act (PFA) since the Act’s predecessor, the Political Party Funding Act, came into effect in 2021. Professor Sarah Mosoetsa introduced the DCES team at the Symposium: Dr Ben Roberts, Dr Ngqapheli Mchunu, Dr Ntombizodumo Mkwanazi, Adv. Gary Pienaar and Prof. Joleen Steyn-Kotze. The team presented the findings of the research study on Regulating Political Finance in South Africa: Perspectives on the Political Funding Act and its Implementation. Dr Mzikazi Nduna the Divisional Executive of the Research Impact Division (RID) was also involved in attendance.
Various stakeholders including local and international policymakers, legal and political experts, political parties, academia, media and civil society participated in the Symposium. Representatives from countries including Mexico, Uganda and Senegal shared their experiences on political financing models, highlighting their regulatory approaches and challenges, and the impact on democratic integrity.
The second day of the symposium was kicked off by a keynote address by the Minister of Finance, Mr Enoch Godongwana, who emphasised that funding for political parties from the public purse carries with it obligations, meaning there has to be accountability and transparency for taxpayers’ money. Minister Godongwana also announced that public funding for political parties and representatives would be significantly increased in the coming years to ensure their sustainability as the constitutionally mandated vehicles for political representation of voters’ choices.
The Minister’s address was followed by presentations from academics represented by the University of Pretoria, University of South Africa and University of Johannesburg who examined the key challenges with political funding, including the risk of undue influence, corruption and inadequate transparency associated with various funding mechanisms. The final session focused on the political financing frameworks and experiences around the world, exploring benefits, risks and ethical considerations surrounding public and private political financing and how they impact democracy, governance, transparency and accountability. Commissioner Janet Love, the IEC Vice-Chairperson concluded the symposium with a vote of thanks.
Other Political Funding Study team members include Dr Yul Derek Davids, Dr Steven Gordon, Dr Odilile Ayodele, Mr Johan Viljoen, Dr Samela Mtyingizane, Dr Shanaaz Dunn and Ms Noncedo Maphosho under the executive leadership of Prof. Narnia Bohler-Muller. The support of administrative team, consisting of Ms Busisiwe Mamba, Ms Koshen Govender, Ms Melissa Walters, Ms Tanya Shanker and Ms Deshanie Reddy is sincerely appreciated and acknowledged for the success of the study.
For more information on the Political Party Funding study, please contact:
Dr Ben Roberts – broberts@hsrc.ac.za and Adv. Gary Pienaar – gpienaar@hsrc.ac.za
View the full report below:
