So this is the big "Gotcha" moment @News24 has been teasing for the last few days. I know I am biased, but what exactly is the story here and was it worth allocating investigative journalists to this story?
In a nutshell, the controversy is that Afriforum, which fights against BBBEE, managed to make money from investments through a company that has to comply with BBBEE legislation, which, to be fair, impacts most of the investment companies in South Africa.
So, what exactly is the big story here? I'm not being facetious, I really would like to know. I am against BBBEE but my retirement annuity is with a company that has to comply with BBBEE legislation. So will the next hit piece be on me?
Absolutely idiotic reporting by a biased media house whose editors absolutely HATE Afriforum.
Die oorheersende kultuur in die departement van landbou (opsetlik met kleinletters gespel, want dit is hoofletters nie waardig nie) soos deur die minister en sy personeel gevestig, is verby skokkend en onaanvaarbaar.
Hier moet koppe nou dringend rol.
@RapportSA We center staged in the Oval Office for kill the boer but meanwhile the wolf in sheep clothes sits there, John, knowingly that he will finish the farmers!
🔗LEES MEER: https://t.co/lAcfrX6yCO
Die landbouminister, John Steenhuisen, se personeelhoof het glo op die Nampo-oesdag in die openbaar gevloek op die uitvoerende hoof van ’n landbou-organisasie wat in ’n hofstryd met die departement gewikkel is.
Be careful what you wish for; if you go digging for dirt then more than likely you will find dirt on yourself. Well done @News24 for this brilliant own goal.
Reaction to @News24’s Ideologically Driven Hit Piece on @afriforum:
The News24 group donated millions of rand to the ANC. AfriForum did not.
AfriForum did not invest in a company called Thebe Stockbroking. Investment managers use Thebe and other platforms to invest in shares on the stock market. These other platforms are also compelled by the race obsessed ANC led government to implement BEE policies. It is virtually impossible to invest in shares on the JSE without some exposure to BEE compliant entities.
For those who would like to know how AfriForum actually spends its money:
Watch this video: https://t.co/Favggcjuz6
Read this article: https://t.co/XAEcgM6ZdC
For the record, below is part of the response I provided to the anti AfriForum activists posing as journalists at News24 when they requested comment regarding Thebe Stockbroking:
I place on record that News24 refused to answer AfriForum’s questions regarding its parent company’s donations of R8 million to the ANC between 2021 and 2025. These questions were aimed at determining whether News24 considers it justifiable that its parent company funds the ANC while numerous individuals in ANC leadership positions have been implicated in corruption.
This question is directly relevant to News24’s enquiries because reference is made to donations by Thebe Stockbroking, which is itself one of the ANC’s donors.
Donations to the ANC
Unlike News24’s parent company, which knowingly donated R8 million to the ANC between 2021 and 2025, AfriForum was obviously not aware in 2013 that Thebe would later make donations to the ANC. Had AfriForum known this, the organisation would have ensured that none of its investment managers made use of Thebe.
In any event, AfriForum had already decided in March 2023 to move its investments away from Thebe as part of a process to consolidate the organisation’s investment portfolio.
By contrast, News24’s parent company continues to donate money to the ANC.
In 2013, AfriForum’s Financial Committee invited investment managers to make presentations on their investment strategies. Following this process, André Laas was selected as one of several investment managers.
The focus was on selecting capable investment managers rather than the investment platforms through which they executed transactions. AfriForum’s funds were invested in shares listed on the stock exchange, not in Thebe.
Within South Africa’s financial sector, it is difficult to find an investment platform that is not subject to BEE requirements. Thebe Stockbroking was neither invited nor appointed by AfriForum. André Laas was.
Companies, including investment platforms, are compelled to implement race based policies. This makes it virtually impossible for organisations opposed to BEE to avoid all indirect or unintended dealings with BEE compliant entities. Fuel suppliers, retailers, service providers and many other businesses operate within the same policy framework.
BEE
AfriForum and Solidarity are unapologetically opposed to the use of race as a mechanism for enriching politically connected elites within the ANC’s sphere of influence.
Policies such as BEE should ultimately be judged by their outcomes rather than their stated intentions. These outcomes have included persistent poverty, unemployment and economic exclusion.
AfriForum’s position is therefore that socioeconomic circumstances, rather than race, should be used as the basis for addressing poverty and inequality in South Africa.
@covie_93 Ok, I can see you don't understand reality.
There's a difference between a state visit in regards to trade and war but surely the White House can function other events to.
"Naspers owns Media24, which includes @News24 among its many titles. News24, one of South Africa’s most influential news platforms, is expected to provide impartial coverage of all political entities, including the ANC.
However, how can we trust the objectivity of a media outlet when its parent company is financially supporting one of the major political players? This isn’t just a potential conflict of interest; it’s a direct challenge to the integrity of the media as a neutral entity."
https://t.co/dHoZskD8gt
News24 Group donated R8 million to the ANC! News24 will not tell you this in the hit piece they are planning against @afriforum.
I place on record that @News24 refused to answer AfriForum’s questions regarding its parent company’s donations of R8 million to the ANC between 2021 and 2025. These questions were aimed at determining whether News24 considers it justifiable for its parent company to fund the ANC while numerous individuals in the ANC leadership have been implicated in corruption.
This question was relevant to AfriForum’s ability to respond effectively to News24’s enquiries, as reference is made to donations by one of the parent company’s fellow donors to the ANC, namely Thebe Stockbroking.
@DemocracySlap@tarathinks She must give the evidence to the people who attacked her, think about what you are saying.
It's probably already investigated.
@DemocracySlap@tarathinks Someone have told them to attack any negative opinions.
The evidence are all over social media, the belittling and blame shifting on citizen's.
Threats...why make a claim without evidence.
Guess it will be all revealed when necessary steps are taken.