Simon Nare
The ANC tried on Wednesday to counter ongoing talk that it is cash-strapped ahead of its January 8 celebrations, with President Cyril Ramaphosa and treasurer-general Dr Gwen Ramokgopa using its annual fundraising golf day at Sun City to set aside doubt about the party’s ability to raise money and meet its obligations.
Ramokgopa dismissed suggestions that the party was in financial difficulty and said its finances, like those of many non-profit organisations, depended on donor contributions, while Ramaphosa told business leaders the day was focused on raising substantial funds for the party.
The attempted reassurances come after repeated staff pay disputes in recent years. In December, employees picketed outside the party’s National General Council meeting over late or unpaid salaries and other benefit-related grievances.
In September 2024, ANC staff had gone unpaid for months and some faced evictions, while in October 2025, the party said in court papers that the freezing/attachment of its bank accounts left it unable to pay employees nationally.,
News24 previously reported that Ramaphosa had intervened in 2020 and paid staff from his own pocket after the party failed to pay salaries.
Speaking to journalists at the golfing event, Ramokgopa said that all ANC employees had been paid their salaries before Christmas 2025.
“And like any organisation, from time to time you stagger [payments] but I am glad at this point in time we have [paid] every employee. Actually, they were paid well before Christmas.
“We are basically an NGO and non-profit organisations live on contributions that are made. Like today we also have fundraising, the signature event that is supported by the president,” she said.
Ramokgopa said the golf day was a success and that organisers had to turn people away because it was oversubscribed — a claim Ramaphosa echoed when he addressed Progressive Business Forum leaders organising the event and thanked them for their support.
“We have really had an excellent, wonderful day. We had to turn people away. It just goes to show the enthusiasm and the support that many people are giving the ANC and we are really humbled and heartened by the level of support that they are showering the ANC with.
“As I look at all of you, I can see money,” he said, prompting laughter from businesspeople ready for a round with the president.
A short while earlier, Ramaphosa joked with journalists about why his golf swing was not perfect, saying he did not have enough time to play.
“Of course, my swing can never be the best because of the work that I do. I would have loved to play more golf but I can’t because you as journalists and as South Africans will not give [me] the time to do so,” he joked.
Ramaphosa said the focus of the day was fundraising for the ANC, adding: “and we are going to raise tons and tons of money”.
“They (those taking part in the golf day) don’t have to declare because they are paying for playing golf with the president. I would have loved to play the whole day but my controller said I can only play for one hour,” he said.
Ramaphosa told the business leaders the level of support at the event was evidence that people still appreciated the party and its work.
“I think we are facing a very challenging year, and opportunities, and I want to focus more on the opportunities. There are great opportunities that await us,” he added, without elaborating.
Ramokgopa said the party was planning additional fundraising events and urged South Africans to financially contribute to political parties.
She did not say how much the ANC hoped to raise ahead of Saturday’s main event. Another fundraising event is a gala dinner, to be held on Friday evening, where businesspeople will be able to buy tables, with the highest bidders securing a table to sit with the president.
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