At least four government departments and three parastatals will pay R140 000 each for a banquet and an exclusive facility called the Network Lounge at the African National Congress’s national conference in December.
The departments of health, water affairs, communications and trade and industry, as well as South African Airways and the Airports Company of South Africa, have accepted invitations to the lounge, said Nicholas Wolpe, who was given the deal to set up the Network Lounge.
The SABC has confirmed to the Mail & Guardian that it will also be “exhibiting”. Transnet and Denel said this week they were still considering the offer.
Among other parastatals, Telkom and Spoornet said they would not be participating.
Wolpe said that four of the 30 available berths in the lounge have not yet been taken. Private corporations, including Cell-C, Sanlam, AngloGold and African Rainbow Minerals, had also taken the package.
“We wanted to make it a very exclusive event, not a huge exhibition with hundreds of spaces. Otherwise people wouldn’t have access to the ANC leadership,” Wolpe said.
“Everyone complains about lack of communication and interaction in South Africa. The lounge will be a platform for government and business to interact. Government departments and business can interact with 5 000 ANC leaders, particularly from rural areas.”
It would be a “value-added experience”, he said.
The lounge will be set up in a tent at Stellenbosch University for three days and will include space for participants to erect stands, an Internet cafÃ