AS part of his all-out fundraising campaign, Jacob Zuma has invited deep-pocket dignitaries to fork out millions of rands to rub shoulders with him during Umkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP)’s first anniversary celebrations to be held in Durban later this month.
The first event would take place on December 15 where supporters would be welcomed to fill Moses Mabhida Stadium, but there’s a cost for wealthy individuals keen to sit in the stadium’s hospitality suite.
They would be required to pay R5 000 while company representatives will need to pay R150 000 for a table in return for food, drinks and free party regalia.
But the real networking party will take place a day later, December 16, where a seat at the gala dinner table costs between R25 000 and R2 million.
“Purchasers of Gala Dinner Tables will receive complimentary suite tickets for the Mass Public Celebration suites (at the stadium on December 15), ensuring a seamless and exclusive experience throughout the celebrations,” read the party’s promotion pamphlet.
The party, which took over the ANC and EFF’s popularity among voters during the May general elections, was formed on December 16 last year and is currently the main opposition party in the national and KwaZulu-Natal parliaments.
According to the pamphlet, those who would pay to be at the “exclusive” gala dinner will enjoy “a sophisticated evening of fine dining and networking.”
Individuals would each pay R25 000 for a seat while companies would each pay R200 000 for five tickets to occupy the Solid Spear Table, R500 000 for ten tickets at the Precision Spear Table, R1 million for 20 tickets at the Silver Spear Table, R1.5 million for 25 seats at the Golden Spear Table and whopping R2 million for 30 seats at the Platinum Speat Table.
Since early this year, Zuma had been approaching members of the public to raise funds for the party, which claimed to not have access to business owners with deep pockets.
The party has on numerous occasions required to spend its funds in court battles such as defending itself against legal challenges brought by the ANC over the use of the name and logo of the now-defunct liberation army.
It was also expected to fight off another pending legal battle brought by 10 of its 18 former MPs who were sacked from parliament.
MK Party national spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela said ordinary members would not be charged at the stadium but would not have access to the special suites.
He said there were some individuals and companies that have already shown interest in booking suites, which he said: “they are in demand”.
“We started getting confirmation of attendance (from people who intended to occupy suites) immediately after releasing the announcement.
“There are people who have lots of money out there,” he said.
However, he declined to reveal the names of individual people and companies who have promised to buy tables.
He said whenever an opportunity present itself for the party to raise funds, it would not hesitate do so.
“We should raise funds because we cannot run a party on zero budget, which is what we experienced during elections and that harmed our campaign.
“There is nothing wrong with raising money and we are not the only political party that does that.
“All political parties do that and all political parties get levies,” he said.
He lashed out at people who he said were spreading lies that the money generated for the party ended up in Zuma’s pockets.
He was referring to allegations from the disgruntled former party MPs who approached the Johannesburg High Court claiming that certain monies docked from their parliament salaries for the party ended up in their leader's bank accounts.
They were seeking an order to freeze Zuma and the party’s bank accounts pending their legal action to be compensated for loss of income as a result of being sucked from parliament, which they joined after resigning from the various jobs after their names appeared on Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) list of MPs.
“People spread lies that the money ends up with president Zuma. Levies go to our party’s account to help with the running of the party so we can employ staff and give people jobs,” said Ndhlela.
He said those booking the suite would have to pay upfront and before coming to the venue.
He said the party’s one-year birthday celebrations were being held across the country.
There was a gathering in Vosloorus yesterday and today the party will have meet with supporters in the Mkhondo Local Municipality, Mpumalanga.