Who leads the ANC, and what does it want to do?
The basic facts, then its main plans for 2026 in its own words.
- Leader
- Cyril Ramaphosa
- Founded
- 1912
- On the ballot in
- 255 of 257 councils, including the 8 metros
- Since the list
- On 15 October 2026 the Constitutional Court ordered the IEC to add the ANC's 181 candidates in six councils, including the two missing.
- Name on the ballot
- AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS
Its main plans for 2026
- Cut lost or unbilled water below 30% in every (Metro A big city with one council for the whole city, such as Johannesburg or Cape Town. There are 8. Voters there get 2 ballot papers.), and fix potholes.
- Expand public works programmes and publish approval times for plans and licences.
- Act on Auditor-General findings within 12 months and end unfunded budgets in two years.
- Finish informal settlement upgrades, add serviced plots and help transfer title deeds.
Our summary of "ANC 2026 Local Government Manifesto". Party material shows what was promised, not what was delivered.
Pick what matters to you and see which parties promised it, with a link to where it said so.
Take the quizView sources (opens in a new tab)
Spotted a mistake? Report a mistake. Every change is logged on the Corrections page.
What does the ANC promise in 2026?
Its 2026 promises in short, and the claims we checked. The full wording is on the sources page.
What we checked (5)
- Verified. Mayor Dada Morero (ANC) said Johannesburg paid off its R5.25 billion overdue debt to Eskom. Claim by ANC · City of Johannesburg
- Misleading. Mayor Dada Morero (ANC) said Johannesburg gained 23,000 jobs in early 2026, while unemployment rose to 34.7%. Claim by ANC · City of Johannesburg
- Unproven. Mayor Cyril Xaba (ANC) said Treasury assessed eThekwini's 2026/27 budget as funded, credible and sustainable. Claim by ANC · eThekwini
- Unproven. Mayor Cyril Xaba (ANC) said eThekwini's 21.2% jobless rate, the metros' lowest, shows its work creates jobs. Claim by ANC · eThekwini
- Verified. Mayor Babalwa Lobishe (ANC) said about 98% of Nelson Mandela Bay households have access to water. Claim by ANC · Nelson Mandela Bay
What it promises
Core services5 promises
- WaterCut lost or unbilled water below 30% in every (Metro A big city with one council for the whole city, such as Johannesburg or Cape Town. There are 8. Voters there get 2 ballot papers.).
- Electricity and power cutsRaise monthly free basic electricity for homes that qualify.
- RubbishMake refuse collection reliable in every (Municipality The local government for your area. It looks after local services, such as water, rubbish removal and local roads. There are 257.) within five years.
- Toilets and sewageStop sewer spills and improve wastewater treatment.
- RoadsFix potholes and maintain (Council The group of elected people who make decisions for a municipality. They pass its budget and choose the mayor.) roads, bridges and stormwater drains.
Housing and land3 promises
- Building housesSupport social and affordable housing, and reclaim hijacked buildings.
- Informal settlementsFinish informal settlement upgrades on time and budget, and add serviced plots.
- Title deedsHelp with title deed transfers.
Safety and jobs4 promises
- CrimeProtect council and building projects from extortion, and stop vandalism and theft.
- Metro policeStrengthen municipal police services where they exist.
- Local jobsExpand the EPWP and CWP, programmes that give people short-term work.
- Business and growthMake councils investor-ready, with published approval times for plans, rezoning and licences.
Governance and money5 promises
- CorruptionRun lifestyle audits of (Mayor The leader of the municipality. Councillors choose this person, not voters. So the seats each party wins decide who can lead.), mayoral committee members and senior managers.
- Audit resultsAct on Auditor-General findings within 12 months.
- Wasteful spendingReduce irregular, unauthorised, fruitless and wasteful spending.
- CoalitionsPut every (Coalition Parties that agree to run a council together, usually because none has more than half the seats alone. Together they choose the mayor.) agreement it signs in writing and make it public.
- BudgetsEnd unfunded council budgets within the first two years of the term.
Claims it made about other parties
No checked claims yet.
View sources (opens in a new tab)
Spotted a mistake? Report a mistake. Every change is logged on the Corrections page.
Where does the ANC govern?
The 8 (Metro A big city with one council for the whole city, such as Johannesburg or Cape Town. There are 8. Voters there get 2 ballot papers.), and the ANC's role in each as of 18 October 2026. (Seat A place on the council, held by one councillor. A party with more votes gets more of these places.) are from the 2021 election.
Runs or leads the council
6 of 8 metrosHas seats, but not in charge
1 of 8 metrosNot clear from our sources
1 of 8 metrosOther councils it runs or leads4 named in our sources
- The (IEC The Electoral Commission of South Africa. It runs elections. It is independent, so it does not take orders from the government or any party.) said the ANC won more than half the seats in 161 (Council The group of elected people who make decisions for a municipality. They pass its budget and choose the mayor.) in 2021. In those councils it can run the council alone. The IEC's count includes (District council A council over several local municipalities. It runs services for the whole area. There are 44. Voters outside the metros also vote for it.).
- The Sunday Times reported on a study of (Coalition Parties that agree to run a council together, usually because none has more than half the seats alone. Together they choose the mayor.) on 8 Oct 2026. It said the ANC was the largest (Party A group of people who stand for election together, with shared plans.) in 117 of 175 governments formed in hung councils since 2021. A hung council is one where no party won more than half the seats. The ANC was in government in 90 of the 175 and held the (Mayor The leader of the municipality. Councillors choose this person, not voters. So the seats each party wins decide who can lead.) post in 55.
- GroundUp reported in June 2025 that the council was "bankrupted within three financial years while the ANC, Patriotic Alliance and GOOD held the political reins." Its 2023/24 audit was qualified, which means the Auditor-General found some figures it could not trust. Irregular spending, which is spending that broke the rules, rose to R262 million. The province put the council under financial administration in November 2024. The Auditor-General's 2024-25 report lists Theewaterskloof among councils whose audit outcome got worse over the council term. It also lists the council among three Western Cape councils with going concern uncertainty, a warning that money problems may stop it running services. In late September 2026 a motion from the ANC, PA and EFF removed DA mayor Lincoln de Bruyn, IOL reported. In October 2026 the DA said the council had voted to undo his removal, the Daily Voice reported. No source outside the DA confirms who is mayor now.
- The ANC is in the coalition that runs Knysna, with the EFF and PBI, Daily Maverick reported in October 2026. Thando Matika was mayor. After he was listed as an SACP candidate, the ANC removed him as mayor on 18 September 2026. He disputes this and says he is still the mayor. Police arrested him on 1 October 2026 on corruption charges linked to alleged kickbacks on a security contract. He has not been found guilty.
View sources (opens in a new tab)
Spotted a mistake? Report a mistake. Every change is logged on the Corrections page.
Who funds the ANC?
The ANC told the (IEC The Electoral Commission of South Africa. It runs elections. It is independent, so it does not take orders from the government or any party.) about 2 large donations from July 2025 to June 2026. Only gifts above the legal limit must be declared, so smaller gifts may exist.

Money in 2024/25
April 2024 to March 2025, from the IEC's yearly report.
Gifts and fees
- Gifts over R100 000 from one donor, named in the reports
- R53 226 586
- Smaller gifts, R100 000 or less from one donor (names not published)
- None shown
- Membership fees and levies
- R49 736 471
Public money (not donations)
- From the Political Representatives Fund
- R219 167 380
- From Parliament and provincial legislatures
- R713 678 372
The IEC's yearly report lists this among issues the ANC did not correct. Its auditor couldn't confirm: “Donation received below the R100 000 threshold is complete or not, as there are no internal controls in place to record such transactions.”
Its largest donors
Every donation, by quarter
April to June 2026None declared
January to March 2026None declared
October to December 20251 donation · R2 000 000
| Donor (name as the IEC printed it) | Amount | Money or in kind |
|---|---|---|
| CHANCELLOR HOUSE TRUST | R2 000 000 | Money |
July to September 20251 donation · R358 100
| Donor (name as the IEC printed it) | Amount | Money or in kind |
|---|---|---|
| EDUCATION AND TRAINING UNIT | R358 100 | In kind |
What the IEC says about these reports15 notes
April to June 2026
The IEC said: “The Electoral Commission has identified many compliance matters relating to donations to the African National Congress (ANC). The Commission has received submissions relating to ANC donations from both the party and donors. All these submissions have not met the requirements of the Political Funding Act and the applicable disclosure framework.”
The IEC said: “The deficiencies identified include, among others: failure to submit the required dual disclosure; failure by the donor and/or recipient to submit the required declaration; failure to provide proof of the underlying transaction; failure to provide required supporting documentation; and late reporting of donations.”
The IEC said: “The value of donations currently identified in this process totals R15 270 000, comprising: R270 000 from Captrust Investment (Pty) Ltd; and R15 million from Batho Batho Trust. These donations have not been included in the total of compliant donations published above, as the relevant compliance requirements have not been satisfied. The Commission has nevertheless considered it necessary, in the interests of transparency, to make the information available to the public while the applicable regulatory processes are being pursued.”
The IEC said: “The ANC has also reported many donations relating to the 2025/26 financial year after the prescribed reporting periods. These include: Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES): R501 230.29 in-kind donation made on 31 July 2025; Botho Botho Commercial Enterprises (Pty) Ltd: R10 million donation made on 15 December 2025; Valumax Projects: R500 000 donation made on 20 March 2026; Batho Batho Trust: R15 million in-kind donation made on 1 April 2025; and Batho Batho Trust: R15 million monetary donation made on 29 December 2025.”
The IEC said: “These declarations have failed compliance tests in many respects, including late reporting, failure to provide proof of transaction by the donor and/or recipient, and failure to ensure dual disclosure. Accordingly, these donations have not been included in the tabulated total of compliant donations. Again, the Electoral Commission has resolved to disclose information in the interests of transparency while the relevant regulatory processes are under way. Pertinently, the ANC has been issued with the requisite section 15 direction to address the identified compliance deficiencies.”
The IEC said: “Failure to comply with the issued direction may result in further regulatory action, including withholding future allocations from the Political Representatives Fund (PRF) and the Multi-Party Democracy Fund (MPDF). Continued non-compliance may also result in referral to the Electoral Court for appropriate sanctions in terms of the Act.”
The IEC said: “The Electoral Commission emphasises that the publication of these matters should not be construed as a finding that the underlying donations are unlawful. Rather, the issue at this stage concerns compliance with the statutory disclosure and verification requirements applicable to political funding.”
January to March 2026
The IEC said: “The Electoral Commission received donor declarations indicating the following declarations to ANC: Valumax Projects donated R500 000 to the Ekurhuleni Branch of the ANC on 20 March 2026; and Captrust Investments (Pty) Ltd donated R270 000 to the Veterans League on 16 April 2026. These donations totalling R770 000 have not been acknowledged or declared by the party at the time of publication.”
The IEC said: “Furthermore, two late donations to the ANC amounting to R10 501 230.21 were made by the party. These late declarations comprise: R501 230.21 from Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) on 31 July 2025; and R10 million from Botho Botho Commercial Enterprises (Pty) Ltd on 15 December 2025.”
The IEC said: “Botho Botho Commercial Enterprises (Pty) Ltd has historically been a regular donor to the ANC. In line with prescripts the Commission has issued the ANC with a directive to submit representations regarding these late declarations.”
October to December 2025
In the IEC's statement, this follows its paragraph on two late declarations by ActionSA; "both instances" means ActionSA and the ANC. The IEC said: “Similarly, the ANC declared a donation of R 2 million received from Chancellor House Trust. Although the donation was received on 4 November 2025 and declared by the donor within the prescribed period, the party only reported it to the Commission only on 2 February 2026, after the statutory deadline of 31 January 2026. In both instances, the Commission has issued directives in terms of section 15(1) of the Act. The affected parties have been afforded 30 calendar days to submit written representations setting out reasons for this non-compliance.”
The IEC said: “The ANC declared a single donation of R 2 000 000 received from Chancellor House Trust. Although this declaration was submitted after the regulatory deadline, the Commission has resolved to publish it in the interest of transparency. The required regulatory processes relating to late declarations, including the issuing of a section 15 directive, have been initiated.”
July to September 2025
The IEC said: “Two disclosures, ActionSA and Democratic Alliance (DA) were compliant while the other two, African National Congress and Inkatha Freedom Party are deemed not compliant.”
The IEC said: “The ANC declared one in-kind donation from the Education and Training Unit (ETU). The donation, valued at R358,100.00, covered accommodation and conference costs for a training programme supporting ANC trainers preparing for National Dialogue, local government election-related activities and the National General Council (NGC) preparations.”
In the IEC's statement, "this donation" is the ANC's in-kind donation of R358,100.00 from the Education and Training Unit (ETU). The IEC said: “This donation was, however, late in that it was submitted to the Electoral Commission a day after the closing date of declaration submission. Consequently, the party has been issued a direction in terms of section 15 of the Act to submit a representation explaining this late declaration.”
How the limit worksWhich donations parties must declare
(Party A group of people who stand for election together, with shared plans.) must declare some donations. This applies when one donor gives them more than R200 000 in total in a financial year. A financial year runs from April to March. The limit used to be R100 000. The President raised it in Proclamation Notice R. 275 of 2025. This was published in the Government Gazette on 18 August 2025. So the July to September 2025 report uses R100 000 for donations before that date. A smaller donation is declared once the donor's total for the year passes the limit. The IEC says the Political Funding Act covers each (Registered Your name is on the voters' roll. Registration for this election closed on 7 August 2026.) party, even one with no (Seat A place on the council, held by one councillor. A party with more votes gets more of these places.) in (Parliament South Africa's national law-makers, in Cape Town. It has two parts, the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces.) or a provincial legislature. So the IEC's reports cover each party listed here. Smaller gifts, membership fees and public money are not in these reports. So no rows means no donor passed the limit in these reports. It does not mean the party got no money. The IEC's yearly report shows each party's total of smaller gifts, without names. These are the donations the party told the IEC about, as the IEC published them. We do not compare parties. Checked 20 October 2026.
All funders in the IEC reports →
View sources (opens in a new tab)
Spotted a mistake? Report a mistake. Every change is logged on the Corrections page.
What links does the ANC have abroad?
(Council The group of elected people who make decisions for a municipality. They pass its budget and choose the mayor.) don't decide foreign policy. Here is who abroad the ANC is linked to through money, gifts, trips or networks, and what each link is.
South African (Party A group of people who stand for election together, with shared plans.) may not take money from foreign governments. They may take money from foreign organisations only to train members or develop policy. This is limited to R5 million a year.
What it has said about the world
Councils don't decide this. But it shows how the party wants South Africa to deal with other countries. Each topic starts with what its record shows: how it voted, what it did and what it said.
Israel, Palestine and the Middle EastAll 200 ANC MPs present voted in 2023 to ask the government to close Israel's embassy. The ANC backs its government's genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the UN's top court. In December 2023 its secretary-general met visiting Hamas leaders, with Fatah and PLO members. In 2026 it praised the government for expelling Israel's top diplomat.6 statements
“The ANC reiterates that there can be no lasting military solution to fundamentally political conflicts.”
Party statement, 1 March 2026
The ANC said this in a statement as fighting grew in the Middle East. It sent sympathy to Iran's people after reports that their Supreme Leader had died. It means fighting cannot settle these disputes for good, and only talks can. It says the UN Charter, the United Nations' founding rulebook, allows self-defence only after an armed attack. It wants world bodies and partners to work harder to calm things down.
“applauds the Government of the Republic of South Africa, acting through the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, for its firm and principled stance in declaring the Israeli Chargé d’Affaires persona non grata”
Party statement, 30 January 2026
The ANC said this in a party statement. Persona non grata is Latin for an unwelcome person, and such a diplomat must leave. The government gave this label to Israel's top diplomat here. The ANC says he broke diplomatic rules more than once. Israel then sent away South Africa's (Ambassador The top person a country sends to speak for it in another country.) to the State of Palestine, which the ANC opposes. It wants Israel to respect South Africa's right to decide for itself.
“The ANC applauds the International Court of Justice’s resolute judgment on the genocide case brought by the ANC-led South African government against Israel.”
Party statement, 26 January 2024
The ANC praised the ICJ's first order in South Africa's genocide case against Israel. It called the case one brought by the ANC-led government. It asked all sides to obey the order, let aid in, and free hostages and prisoners.
“ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula led a delegation that met Hamas’ leaders visiting SA to prepare for the gathering.”
News report, 6 December 2023
Business Day reported that ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula led a team that met visiting Hamas leaders. Hamas then ran Gaza. Members of Fatah and the PLO, two other Palestinian groups, were also there, and so were SACP leaders. Business Day said the ANC had stopped short of backing Hamas.
Vote in Parliament, 21 November 2023
All 200 ANC (MP (Member of Parliament) A person who sits in Parliament, which makes South Africa's laws. They are not chosen in this local election.) present voted to ask the government to close Israel's (Embassy A country's main office in another country. It speaks for its own government there.) and cut ties. The ANC changed the motion so that ties stay cut until Israel agrees to a ceasefire and UN-led talks. The motion passed, 248 votes to 91.
“The adoption of the amended motion afforded the people of South Africa an opportunity, through their elected public representatives, to express their views on the unfolding genocide and obliteration of the Palestinian people whose land has been illegally confiscated and occupied.”
Party statement, 20 November 2023
The ANC said the vote on Israel's embassy let South Africans speak through their MPs. It spoke of the "unfolding genocide" of the Palestinian people. It says Palestinians have a right to live on their land along the borders of before 1967.
Russia and UkraineThe ANC calls Russia "our long time ally in the liberation struggle". In 2022 the ANC members of South Africa's team at a world body of parliaments did not back its resolution condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine. In 2024 its secretary-general led a team to a Moscow forum set up by United Russia, the party that backs Putin. In 2023 Ramaphosa said the ANC had decided to leave the ICC, the court that had asked for Putin's arrest. A day later the Presidency said this was an error and South Africa would stay in.8 quotes
“However, with the exception of one MP from Al Jama-ah, the five-member delegation led by the Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane are all from the ANC.”
News report, 14 July 2026
(Parliament South Africa's national law-makers, in Cape Town. It has two parts, the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces.) sent five MPs to Moscow in July 2026, EWN reported. Four were from the ANC and one from Al Jama-ah. Parliament said the visit was to build ties with Russia's parliament.
“Such actions not only place individuals at grave personal risk, but also undermine the sovereignty of our nation and South Africa’s principled stance of non-alignment in global conflicts.”
Party statement, 13 November 2025
The ANC said this about 17 South African men stuck in the war in Ukraine. It says they were tricked into joining armed groups with promises of good jobs. A 1998 law bans South Africans from fighting for foreign forces without permission. The ANC means this puts them in danger and hurts South Africa's choice to stay out of other countries' wars. It wants the men brought home safely.
“South Africa’s presidency of BRICS in 2023, handed over to Russia, our long time ally in the liberation struggle, highlighted our nation’s unwavering commitment to multilateral cooperation.”
Party statement, 24 October 2024
The ANC said this in a statement backing President Ramaphosa's trip to a BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia. BRICS is a group of countries including Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. The ANC sees Russia as an old friend from the struggle for freedom before 1994. It wants South Africa to use BRICS to push for changes to the UN Security Council. It says BRICS offers Africa fairer loans than Western lenders.
“The informal forum, which will be held from 15-17 February and will be officially launched at the end of March, is an initiative of the United Russia party, which is aligned with Russian President Vladimir Putin.”
News report, 14 February 2024
Daily Maverick reported that ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula led an ANC team to a forum in Moscow. United Russia, the party that backs Russia's President Vladimir Putin, set up the forum.
“The Presidency has clarified statements from President Cyril Ramaphosa that South Africa would be exiting the International Criminal Court. It says the country remains a signatory to the Rome Statute.”
News report, 26 April 2023
A day later the Presidency said South Africa was not leaving the ICC, eNCA reported. It said Ramaphosa's words were made in error. It said the country still belongs to the Rome Statute, the treaty that set up the court.
“The governing party, the ANC, has taken the decision that it is prudent that South Africa should pull out of the ICC largely because of the manner in which the ICC has been seen to be dealing with these types of problems”
News report, 25 April 2023
The International Criminal Court (ICC) had asked for Putin's arrest. President Ramaphosa then said the ANC had decided South Africa should leave the ICC, TimesLIVE reported. ANC leader Obed Bapela had said no sitting head of state would be arrested here.
“Several ANC Youth League officials are acting as international observers of the controversial referendums which Russia is holding to legitimise its annexation of the Ukrainian territory that its military has conquered.”
News report, 25 September 2022
Daily Maverick reported that ANC Youth League officials acted as observers at Russia's votes in parts of Ukraine its army had taken. Russia held these votes to make the land its own. The Youth League is the ANC's youth wing.
“The South African delegation was one of nine Parliaments that didn't support the Inter-Parliamentary Union's resolution. ... Lotriet - the only member of the delegation not from the ANC or EFF”
News report, 24 March 2022
News24 reported that South Africa's MPs did not support a resolution of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, a world body of parliaments, condemning Russia's invasion. The team's ANC and EFF members did not back it. Its one DA member did.
China and TaiwanThe ANC calls its ties with China's Communist Party, which runs China, a "historic partnership". It hosted a top delegation from that party in 2024, and its members train at a school that party helped launch. An ANC MP told Parliament South Africa sees Taiwan as part of China. ANC MPs also took gifts and a trip from China's embassy.3 quotes
“Recognising one unified China inclusive of Taiwan is foundational to our bilateral engagements.”
In Parliament, 15 November 2024
A N Kumbaca, an ANC MP, said this in a debate in Parliament about China's Uyghur Muslims. She means South Africa treats Taiwan as part of China, not as its own country. She says this shows respect for China's right to its own land. She wants South Africa to raise human rights with China through talks, not by shutting it out. She calls China South Africa's largest trading partner.
“The visit underscores the commitment of the ANC and CPC to work together on shared priorities and enhance cooperation on issues of multilateralism and mutual interest.”
Party statement, 4 November 2024
The ANC said this in a statement about a visit by the Communist Party of China. The Communist Party of China is the party that runs China. The ANC means it wants closer links with that party and to share ideas on running a government. ANC leaders Fikile Mbalula and Cyril Ramaphosa were to meet the visitors. Our source does not say what was agreed.
“Launched in 2022, with the support of the Communist Party of China (CPC)”
Party statement, 25 January 2024
The ANC said its members, young people among them, train at a leadership school in Tanzania. The school opened in 2022 with support from China's Communist Party. Six former liberation movements of southern Africa, the ANC among them, share it.
The United StatesThe ANC told Parliament in 2025 that South Africa "will not be bullied" by the US. In 2026 its secretary-general called ties with the US a "cold war" and blamed President Trump. He said the ANC will protect South Africa's right to make its own choices.3 quotes
“We have been isolated and subjected to aggression on a daily basis by the US, and the South African government is resilient under Ramaphosa.”
Party statement, 6 April 2026
Fikile Mbalula, the ANC secretary-general, said this at a memorial for Solomon Mahlangu, the Cape Argus reported. He means the US has punished South Africa for backing the Palestinians. The paper says the US opposed South Africa's genocide case against Israel at the world court. He says the government under Ramaphosa will not give in. He says the ANC will protect South Africa's right to make its own choices.
“There is what is called, for lack of a better word, a ‘cold war’ between us and the United States of America.”
Party statement, 29 January 2026
Fikile Mbalula, the ANC secretary-general, said this after a lekgotla, a planning meeting of ANC leaders. A cold war is a long fight between countries without open war. He means relations with the US are very bad, and he blames President Trump. He says Trump targets South Africa with claims of a genocide there. He says South Africa will not be bullied and will keep Africa first.
“As the ANC we reiterate the President’s words in his state of the nation address speech that: “We will not be bullied.””
In Parliament, 6 March 2025
An ANC MP spoke in Parliament's debate after the US cut its aid to South Africa. The ANC repeated President Ramaphosa's words from his yearly speech to the nation.
Other countries and groupsThe ANC called the US capture of Venezuela's president, Nicolás Maduro, a serious break of international law. It called for him and his wife to be freed at once.1 quote
“The ANC further calls on peace-loving people in our country, across the continent and in the world, including in the US, to call for the immediate and unconditional release of President Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores”
Party statement, 6 January 2026
Fikile Mbalula, the ANC secretary-general, said this after a meeting of party leaders, TimesLIVE reported. The ANC says the US took Venezuela's President Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores, his wife. It calls this a serious break of international law and of Venezuela's right to rule itself. It says the real fight is over Venezuela's natural resources. It wants the UN Security Council, which deals with war and peace, to act quickly.
Every trip and gift from abroad
MPs must list gifts, trips and sponsorships that others pay for in (Register of Members' Interests Parliament's public list where each MP must write down gifts, trips, paid work and shares, and who gave them. Anyone can read it.). 43 ANC MPs listed 362, linked to 74 countries. These six come up most.
China50 entries · 18 MPs
- Wine, tea sets, art, a watch and a tablet, mostly from its embassy and leaders.
- Trips paid by the trade department DTIC, its embassy, a business chamber and BRICS.
- A learning programme in China, paid by its government and the National School of Government.
- 300 food parcels and food for a soup kitchen, from its (Consulate A smaller office of a country in another country. It helps its own citizens and gives visas and passports.).
Russia22 entries · 9 MPs
- Daggers and tea sets from its Prime Minister, about R1 500 to R2 000 each.
- Three gifts from its Security Council, valued at R1 800 to R2 600 each.
- A scarf, porcelain, books, vodka and a model truck from its diplomats, Parliament and others.
- Trips to BRICS 2024 in Russia, paid by South Africa's trade department, the DTIC.
Japan13 entries · 5 MPs
- Clocks and a bowl from its ambassador and embassy, R242 to R500 each.
- Art, wine and whisky from its foreign ministry, ambassador and a working visit.
- Trips to a summit and a state visit, paid by the trade department DTIC.
Saudi Arabia9 entries · 3 MPs
- A table watch, hazelnuts and coffee from Saudi Arabia, each under R800.
- A defence plaque from its Minister of Defence, valued at R400.
- A gift box with a laptop sleeve, from a Saudi minister.
Algeria8 entries · 3 MPs
- 6 gifts listed.
- 2 trips abroad listed.
Egypt8 entries · 4 MPs
- A boat sculpture from its ambassador, valued at R1 400.
- A Tutankhamun mask and a crystal sphinx from its government.
- A gold commemorative coin or medal from Egypt.
- A stay for a health forum in Cairo, paid by Africa CDC.
Plus 68 more countries, and 29 entries that do not name a country. Some trips are listed in two years' registers.
See all 362 entries (opens in a new tab)
Checked 27 October 2026. Sourced, not yet reviewed. We show only facts on record and each party's own words. We do not compare parties.
View sources (opens in a new tab)
Spotted a mistake? Report a mistake. Every change is logged on the Corrections page.
