It may be tough economic times, but that didn’t stop businessmen splurging on R290 000 worth of art at an ANC fundraiser on Sunday night.
The fundraiser, at a luxury hotel in Granger Bay near the Cape Town Waterfront, was attended by President Jacob Zuma who promised businessmen that they would be making a wise investment by pledging money to the ANC.
”This organisation called the ANC needs money,” Zuma said at the dinner, where a table of 10 plates sold for between R40 000 and R300 000.
”We are a big organisation. The oldest. The most advanced in terms of thoughts and policies, but no money.
”That is the problem.”
Planning Minister Trevor Manuel played auctioneer at the event, raising R290 000 from four pieces of art.
The first piece, a lithograph of Nelson Mandela’s first public speech on his release in 1990 by Chris Leodochski, was auctioned for R100 000.
The piece After School by Sandy Esau went for R90 000.
”If you want to invest wisely, this is the organisation to give money too,” said Zuma, who on Friday was reported to be expanding his Nkandla residence in KwaZulu-natal at a cost of R65-million.
ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe told the businessmen that the party was a multi-class organisation where businessmen and workers never felt out of place.
He urged the business leaders present to become part of a movement so that they could ”influence policy”. – Sapa