ANC party bill to hit R400m
11 November 2011 
President Jacob Zuma raises his glass. supplied
Taxpayers will fork out more than R400-million for the ANC's centenary birthday celebration in the Free State if spending on infrastructure is included, the Beeld newspaper reported on Thursday.
This cost was in addition to at least R100-million budgeted by the African National Congress at national level, according to the report. About R150-million had been paid to upgrade the Phillip Saunders resort outside Mangaung, which will serve as the headquarters for the celebration. Another R35-million had been budgeted to restore the Waaihoek Methodist Church, where the party was founded in 1912.
For renovations and improvements to the Seisa Ramabodu stadium, R200-million had been budgeted. Free State premier Ace Magashule's house would be upgraded at a cost of R15-million, while Winnie Mandela's house in Brandfort and the historical Mapikela house, would also receive millions for a revamp.
These amounts were gathered from analysing Magashule's budget speech, information published by the province and sources within government. Casca Mokitlane, a Congress of the People member of the provincial legislature, told Beeld that as the centenary was an ANC celebration, it should be financed using only party funds.
Provincial Democratic Alliance leader Roy Jankielsohn said it would be highly irregular for a political party to finance celebrations with funds from national and provincial government and municipalities. He said the DA could approach the Public Protector.
About 120 000 people are expected to attend the ANC's main 100-year birthday celebration from 6 January to 8 January.
Source: IAfrica.
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