Media will have to cough up R1 000 a seat to report on President Thabo Mbeki’s speech at a South African Communist Party (SACP) dinner at the weekend, the party said on Thursday.
Another option for ”media houses” was to obtain a table for 10 at a cost of R10 000 for the event that will also be attended by SACP leader Blade Nzimande.
A statement from the SACP in Gauteng did not say whether this was an attempt to cash in on media interest in a public spat between Mbeki and Nzimande that erupted last weekend.
It was sparked by Mbeki accusing Nzimande of ”extraordinary arrogance” at an African National Congress (ANC) national executive committee meeting.
This prompted Nzimande to question the president’s capacity as a leader.
The SACP in Gauteng said it would host a fundraising dinner on Saturday at the Emperor’s Palace casino and conference facility.
”Our guest of honour will be [the] president of the ANC, Thabo Mbeki, who will speak on the issue of building a people’s economy,” the party said.
”This … will also commemorate the 85th anniversary of the SACP and in attendance will be a high-level delegation of SACP leadership led by the national general secretary, Blade Nzimande.”
Business, trade unions, academics and civil bodies had been approached to buy tables that will be hosted by Cabinet ministers, provincial premiers, provincial ministers and mayors.
Provincial awards would be conferred on Mbeki and six stalwarts for their contribution to socialism and to the struggle against apartheid.
The SACP said: ”This … is a private function of the SACP. The media houses are also invited to purchase seats or tables to attend the function.”
The Star — quoting an unnamed central committee member — reported Nzimande was reluctant to hand over Mbeki’s award.
Gauteng provincial secretary Vishwas Satgar would not comment on this, and merely said Nzimande ”is going to play a role in the award”. — Sapa