Ahead of the 2026/27 local government elections (LGE), the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) of South Africa has recorded an upward trend in political funding, amounting to more than R40-million, with the Democratic Alliance (DA) emerging as the largest beneficiary of political donations.

ActionSA, the African National Congress (ANC), and the DA managed to attract a mixed donor support, amounting to R40 410 474.29, this quarter, which the IEC said was more than double what was reported in the last two quarters of the previous financial year. 

The total amounts disclosed in those two quarters were R14 186 594.00 and R18 364 505.19, respectively.

The DA, ANC and ActionSA were the only parties that declared funding this quarter.

“It is significant that these three parties almost always make declarations since the commencement of the disclosure requirement for political donations. These three political parties have remained consistent in disclosing donations, save for ActionSA, which did not make any declaration in the third quarter of the previous financial year,” the IEC said.

In this quarter, the DA received over R32.2-million from 13 different institutional, international, and individual donors.

In June, the party received a substantial donation of R15-million from Fynbos Kapitaal, a company linked to Capitec founder Michiel le Roux. Also during the same month, a donation of R10-million was received from Fynbos Ekwiteit.

“While both entities appear to share the same ownership, they are distinct juristic persons and each, therefore, has its own applicable donation threshold,” explained the IEC.

A further R2-million came from Jufrapi Investments, an entity owned by Petrus Johannes Mouton, who holds directorships at Capitec, CURRO Holdings, PSG Financial Services, and PSG Group.

In total, the DA received R32 229 474.29 worth of donations.

The ANC received R7.6-million in donations, from its regular donor Chancellor House, while ActionSA declared R520 000 from party leader and businessman Herman Mashaba. 

The IEC pointed out that during the reporting quarter, the Multi-Party Democracy Fund received a contribution of R250 000 from Discovery Central Services, which also donated the same amount to the DA.

“Following recent public engagement efforts, including a symposium in June 2025 and campaigns in early 2025. It is hoped that the fund will attract further contributions in the lead-up to the LGE2026/27,” the IEC said.

Meanwhile, President Cyril Ramaphosa gazetted the revised political funding limits effective August 18, with the minimum threshold for disclosure having been raised from R100 000 to R200 000.

The maximum yearly allowable donation by a single donor has increased from R15-million to R30-million.