The Democratic Alliance (DA) is taking the lead in fundraising for the 2025/2026 local government elections, according to an Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) report
The 2025/2026 First Quarter Political Funding Disclosure Report shows the DA declaring a whopping R32,229,474.29 in funds raised thus far.
The Political Funding Act stipulates that political parties and independent candidates running for elections must declare funding over R200 000. No political party is allowed to accept donations over R30 million from a single donor.
DA acquires millions in funds from founder of Capitec Bank
Report findings indicate that the DA’s main benefactor is Fynbos Kapitaal, a company with ties to Michiel Le Roux, the founder of Capitec Bank. This company contributed a notable R15 million to the party’s election campaign on 24 June.
The DA’s coffers gained a further R10 million from Fynbos Ekwiteit, also linked to Le Roux.
Other major donations made to the DA were:
▪ Main Street 1564 (Pty) Ltd – R1,465,265
▪ Friedrich Naumann Foundation (FNF) – In-kind donation valued at R1,011,143.53 for training and skills development.
▪ Michael Stekhoven – R1,000,000
▪ Estate of Melroy Sylvia Meyer – R570,208.05
▪ Rustdene Investments – R300,000.00
▪ Dalib Investments (Pty) Ltd – R250,000.00
▪ Discovery Central Services – R250,000.00
▪ Mrs Gina Liebenberg – R150,000.00
▪ Dr Mark John Burke – R132,856.71
▪ Mr Robert Breyer – R100,001.00
The African National Party (ANC) funding stands at R7.2 million. The party’s benefactor is Chancellor House.
ActionSA is the only other political party to reveal it raised R520 000 from its leader, Herman Mashaba, who’s also a businessman.
The IEC confirmed that funds declared by political parties for the first quarter of 2025/2026 have doubled in comparison to the previous two quarters. Cumulatively, political parties declared R40,4 million.
“The total amounts disclosed in the last two quarters of the year were R14 186 594.00 and R18 364 505.19, respectively. It is anticipated that this upward trend will continue in the lead-up to the 2026/27 Local Government Elections,” stated the IEC.
The IEC has yet to confirm when the next local government election will take place. According to legislation, it must occur between 1 November 2025 to 31 January 2026.
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