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SA’s political party funding; arts in chaos; and Joburg DIY fixes

This weekend's headlines reveal the murky depths of political party funding in South Africa, a cultural minister who went AWOL on festival support, and communities in Johannesburg stepping up to fix what the city can't—because sometimes, DIY is the only way to keep the lights on.
SA’s political party funding; arts in chaos; and Joburg DIY fixes Patriotic Alliance, ANC and DA logos. (Images: Wikimedia) | Gallo Images | Adobe Stock
Daily Maverick
By Daily Maverick
6 Sep 2025
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The Weekend Wrap

Hard truths about SA’s political party funding, chaos in cultural sector, and communities powering a broken Joburg. All in the weekend wrap.

10 hard truths about SA’s political party funding

Among the realities: we don’t know where the bulk of the ANC’s money comes from.

By Rebecca Davis

Gayton McKenzie causes chaos in cultural sector, reneging on promises of support

There has been nothing but radio silence from the minister following overtures to the iconic Suidoosterfees and the Baxter Theatre.

By Marianne Thamm

How Antarctica’s 29 governments broke their own transparency rule

Rule 8: The little-known clause that should have opened a secretive continent and ocean to the world — and why states keep ignoring it.

By Tiara Walters

Communities repair roads, water and power in DIY revolution as City of Joburg falters

In crumbling Johannesburg, community associations, piece by piece, are helping to save the city from its own downward spiral.

By Anna Cox

The Weekend Wrap

Hard truths about SA’s political party funding, chaos in cultural sector, and communities powering a broken Joburg. All in the weekend wrap.

10 hard truths about SA’s political party funding

Among the realities: we don’t know where the bulk of the ANC’s money comes from.

By Rebecca Davis

PP funding

Gayton McKenzie causes chaos in cultural sector, reneging on promises of support

There has been nothing but radio silence from the minister following overtures to the iconic Suidoosterfees and the Baxter Theatre.

By Marianne Thamm

mckenzie foreigners
Antarctic Treaty

How Antarctica’s 29 governments broke their own transparency rule

Rule 8: The little-known clause that should have opened a secretive continent and ocean to the world — and why states keep ignoring it.

By Tiara Walters

Communities repair roads, water and power in DIY revolution as City of Joburg falters

In crumbling Johannesburg, community associations, piece by piece, are helping to save the city from its own downward spiral.

By Anna Cox

stellenbosch white males Jeremy Fassar

A Stellenbosch official criticised hiring white males — what you need to know

A short video from 2023 showing a Stellenbosch Municipality human resources director questioning the hiring of white males has caused outrage. It’s now the subject of an investigation into allegations of discrimination and workplace bullying. Here’s what you need to know.

By Suné Payne

Boks to show tactical hand in two New Zealand ‘finals’ in Auckland and Wellington

Coach Rassie Erasmus has marked the end-of-year tour matches against Six Nations champions France and northern rivals Ireland as season-defining, but the next two Tests in Aotearoa may well shape this great team’s legacy.

By Jon Cardinelli

Springboks face the All Blacks

Knowledge over hope — why the Boks could succeed in New Zealand

Rassie Erasmus’ Springboks, backed by the numbers, have bona fide reasons to believe they can make history in New Zealand over the next two weeks, facing the men in black without fear.

By Jon Cardinelli

Portable crèche offers hope in Soweto on Sea

With South Africa facing a shortage of safe, stimulating spaces for young children, Nelson Mandela University’s Studio Make has unveiled a pre-manufactured crèche designed for informal settlements.

By Lynne Gadd-Claxton

crèche

Black mambas could help to protect us by ringing poison alarm bells

As one of the biggest and most venomous snakes in Africa, the black mamba often strikes terror into the hearts of people. Somewhat ironically, it could also help to safeguard human health by acting as a novel early-warning tool in pollution hotspots.

By Tony Carnie

An idiot parent’s guide to keeping your kids safe on Roblox

These are not games, they’re digital platforms designed to extract profit from the users, and a haven for online predators.

By Lindsey Schutters

Do we dream in colour or black and white? An expert explains the science of sleep

Have you ever wondered whether people dream in colour or black and white, and what you can do to help you better remember your dreams?

By Kimberly Fenn


Daily Mini Crossword Quickie

Play here.

How Roy Campbell’s bobotie inadvertently came to the age of the air fryer

It didn’t quite play out as intended, but that is the way of plans and reality. Here’s what happened when your Food Editor was challenged to make a favourite recipe of a Karoo literary giant, supposedly having come to him from the poet Roy Campbell.

By Tony Jackman

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  "contents": "<h2>The Weekend Wrap</h2><p style=\"text-align: center;\">Hard truths about SA’s political party funding, chaos in cultural sector, and communities powering a broken Joburg. All in the weekend wrap.</p><h2><a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-09-02-mired-in-opacity-10-hard-truths-about-sas-political-party-funding/\">10 hard truths about SA’s political party funding</a></h2><p>Among the realities: we don’t know where the bulk of the ANC’s money comes from.</p><p>By Rebecca Davis</p><h2><a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-09-03-minister-of-hot-air-gayton-mckenzie-reneges-on-promises-of-festival-support/\">Gayton McKenzie causes chaos in cultural sector, reneging on promises of support</a></h2><p>There has been nothing but radio silence from the minister following overtures to the iconic Suidoosterfees and the Baxter Theatre.</p><p>By Marianne Thamm</p><h2><a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-09-02-the-ice-curtain-how-antarcticas-29-governments-broke-their-own-transparency-rule/\">How Antarctica’s 29 governments broke their own transparency rule</a></h2><p>Rule 8: The little-known clause that should have opened a secretive continent and ocean to the world — and why states keep ignoring it.</p><p>By Tiara Walters</p><h2><a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-09-04-communities-repair-roads-water-and-power-in-diy-revolution-as-city-of-joburg-falters/\">Communities repair roads, water and power in DIY revolution as City of Joburg falters</a></h2><p>In crumbling Johannesburg, community associations, piece by piece, are helping to save the city from its own downward spiral.</p><p>By Anna Cox</p><h2>The Weekend Wrap</h2><p>Hard truths about SA’s political party funding, chaos in cultural sector, and communities powering a broken Joburg. All in the weekend wrap.</p><h2><a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-09-02-mired-in-opacity-10-hard-truths-about-sas-political-party-funding/\">10 hard truths about SA’s political party funding<br /></a></h2><p>Among the realities: we don’t know where the bulk of the ANC’s money comes from.</p><p>By Rebecca Davis</p><p><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/becs-iec-report-copy-720x358.jpg\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" srcset=\"https://i0.wp.com/www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/becs-iec-report-copy-scaled.jpg?resize=720%2C358&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 720w, https://i0.wp.com/www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/becs-iec-report-copy-scaled.jpg?resize=480%2C239&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 480w, https://i0.wp.com/www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/becs-iec-report-copy-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C382&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/becs-iec-report-copy-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C765&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/becs-iec-report-copy-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1020&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https://i0.wp.com/www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/becs-iec-report-copy-scaled.jpg?resize=1280%2C637&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1280w, https://i0.wp.com/www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/becs-iec-report-copy-scaled.jpg?resize=1600%2C796&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1600w, https://i0.wp.com/www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/becs-iec-report-copy-scaled.jpg?resize=50%2C25&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 50w, https://i0.wp.com/www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/becs-iec-report-copy-scaled.jpg?resize=600%2C299&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/becs-iec-report-copy-scaled.jpg?w=1440&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1440w, https://i0.wp.com/www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/becs-iec-report-copy-scaled.jpg?w=2160&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 2160w\" alt=\"PP funding\" width=\"720\" height=\"358\" /></p><h2><a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-09-03-minister-of-hot-air-gayton-mckenzie-reneges-on-promises-of-festival-support/\">Gayton McKenzie causes chaos in cultural sector, reneging on promises of support</a></h2><p>There has been nothing but radio silence from the minister following overtures to the iconic Suidoosterfees and the Baxter Theatre.</p><p>By Marianne Thamm</p><p><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/ED_555988-720x462.jpg\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" srcset=\"https://i0.wp.com/www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/ED_555988-scaled.jpg?resize=720%2C462&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 720w, https://i0.wp.com/www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/ED_555988-scaled.jpg?resize=480%2C308&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 480w, https://i0.wp.com/www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/ED_555988-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C493&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/ED_555988-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C986&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/ED_555988-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1315&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https://i0.wp.com/www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/ED_555988-scaled.jpg?resize=1280%2C822&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1280w, https://i0.wp.com/www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/ED_555988-scaled.jpg?resize=1600%2C1027&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1600w, https://i0.wp.com/www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/ED_555988-scaled.jpg?resize=50%2C32&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 50w, https://i0.wp.com/www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/ED_555988-scaled.jpg?resize=600%2C385&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/ED_555988-scaled.jpg?w=1440&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1440w, https://i0.wp.com/www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/ED_555988-scaled.jpg?w=2160&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 2160w\" alt=\"mckenzie foreigners\" width=\"720\" height=\"462\" /><br /><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Canberra-first-meeting-720x476.jpg\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" srcset=\"https://i0.wp.com/www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Canberra-first-meeting.jpg?resize=720%2C476&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 720w, https://i0.wp.com/www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Canberra-first-meeting.jpg?resize=480%2C317&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 480w, https://i0.wp.com/www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Canberra-first-meeting.jpg?resize=768%2C507&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Canberra-first-meeting.jpg?resize=50%2C33&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 50w, https://i0.wp.com/www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Canberra-first-meeting.jpg?resize=600%2C396&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Canberra-first-meeting.jpg?w=928&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 928w\" alt=\"Antarctic Treaty\" width=\"720\" height=\"476\" /></p><h2><a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-09-02-the-ice-curtain-how-antarcticas-29-governments-broke-their-own-transparency-rule/\">How Antarctica’s 29 governments broke their own transparency rule<br /></a></h2><p>Rule 8: The little-known clause that should have opened a secretive continent and ocean to the world — and why states keep ignoring it.</p><p>By Tiara Walters</p><p><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/IMG-20250828-WA0013-720x432.jpg\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" srcset=\"https://i0.wp.com/www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/IMG-20250828-WA0013.jpg?resize=720%2C432&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 720w, https://i0.wp.com/www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/IMG-20250828-WA0013.jpg?resize=480%2C288&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 480w, https://i0.wp.com/www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/IMG-20250828-WA0013.jpg?resize=768%2C461&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/IMG-20250828-WA0013.jpg?resize=1536%2C922&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/IMG-20250828-WA0013.jpg?resize=1280%2C768&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1280w, https://i0.wp.com/www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/IMG-20250828-WA0013.jpg?resize=50%2C30&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 50w, https://i0.wp.com/www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/IMG-20250828-WA0013.jpg?resize=600%2C360&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/IMG-20250828-WA0013.jpg?w=1598&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1598w, https://i0.wp.com/www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/IMG-20250828-WA0013.jpg?w=1440&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1440w\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"432\" /></p><h2><a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-09-04-communities-repair-roads-water-and-power-in-diy-revolution-as-city-of-joburg-falters/\">Communities repair roads, water and power in DIY revolution as City of Joburg falters</a></h2><p>In crumbling Johannesburg, community associations, piece by piece, are helping to save the city from its own downward spiral.</p><p>By Anna Cox</p><p><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Presentation-157-720x455.jpg\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" srcset=\"https://i0.wp.com/www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Presentation-157.jpg?resize=720%2C455&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 720w, https://i0.wp.com/www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Presentation-157.jpg?resize=480%2C303&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 480w, https://i0.wp.com/www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Presentation-157.jpg?resize=768%2C485&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Presentation-157.jpg?resize=50%2C32&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 50w, https://i0.wp.com/www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Presentation-157.jpg?resize=600%2C379&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Presentation-157.jpg?w=1280&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1280w\" alt=\"stellenbosch white males Jeremy Fassar\" width=\"720\" height=\"455\" /></p><h2><a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-09-04-a-stellenbosch-official-criticised-hiring-white-males-what-you-need-to-know/\">A Stellenbosch official criticised hiring white males — what you need to know<br /></a></h2><p>A short video from 2023 showing a Stellenbosch Municipality human resources director questioning the hiring of white males has caused outrage. It’s now the subject of an investigation into allegations of discrimination and workplace bullying. Here’s what you need to know.</p><p>By Suné Payne</p><h2><a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-08-29-boks-to-show-tactical-hand-in-two-new-zealand-finals-in-auckland-and-wellington/\">Boks to show tactical hand in two New Zealand ‘finals’ in Auckland and Wellington</a></h2><p>Coach Rassie Erasmus has marked the end-of-year tour matches against Six Nations champions France and northern rivals Ireland as season-defining, but the next two Tests in Aotearoa may well shape this great team’s legacy.</p><p>By Jon Cardinelli</p><p><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/TL_2119588.jpg\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" srcset=\"https://i0.wp.com/www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/TL_2119588.jpg?w=1750&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1750w, https://i0.wp.com/www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/TL_2119588.jpg?w=1440&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1440w\" alt=\"Springboks face the All Blacks\" width=\"720\" height=\"465\" /></p><h2><a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-09-05-knowledge-over-hope-why-the-boks-could-succeed-in-new-zealand/\">Knowledge over hope — why the Boks could succeed in New Zealand</a></h2><p>Rassie Erasmus’ Springboks, backed by the numbers, have bona fide reasons to believe they can make history in New Zealand over the next two weeks, facing the men in black without fear.</p><p>By Jon Cardinelli</p><h2><a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-09-02-portable-creche-offers-hope-in-soweto-on-sea/\">Portable crèche offers hope in Soweto on Sea</a></h2><p>With South Africa facing a shortage of safe, stimulating spaces for young children, Nelson Mandela University’s Studio Make has unveiled a pre-manufactured crèche designed for informal settlements.</p><p>By Lynne Gadd-Claxton</p><p><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/IMG_2825-720x458.jpg\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" srcset=\"https://i0.wp.com/www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/IMG_2825.jpg?resize=720%2C458&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 720w, https://i0.wp.com/www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/IMG_2825.jpg?resize=480%2C306&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 480w, https://i0.wp.com/www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/IMG_2825.jpg?resize=768%2C489&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/IMG_2825.jpg?resize=1536%2C978&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/IMG_2825.jpg?resize=1280%2C815&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1280w, https://i0.wp.com/www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/IMG_2825.jpg?resize=1600%2C1019&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1600w, https://i0.wp.com/www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/IMG_2825.jpg?resize=50%2C32&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 50w, https://i0.wp.com/www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/IMG_2825.jpg?resize=600%2C382&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/IMG_2825.jpg?w=1789&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1789w, https://i0.wp.com/www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/IMG_2825.jpg?w=1440&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1440w\" alt=\"crèche\" width=\"720\" height=\"458\" /></p><h2><a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-08-31-black-mambas-could-help-to-protect-us-by-ringing-poison-alarm-bells/\">Black mambas could help to protect us by ringing poison alarm bells</a></h2><p>As one of the biggest and most venomous snakes in Africa, the black mamba often strikes terror into the hearts of people. 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Here’s what happened when your Food Editor was challenged to make a favourite recipe of a Karoo literary giant, supposedly having come to him from the poet Roy Campbell.</p><p>By Tony Jackman</p><p><a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/edit-my-profile/\">Subscribe to First Thing</a> to receive the Weekend Wrap in your inbox every Sunday morning.</p><p style=\"text-align: center;\">If you value the work our journalists do and want to support Daily Maverick, consider becoming a Maverick Insider.</p><p><a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/insider/\"><br />Support DM<br /></a></p>",
  "teaser": "SA’s political party funding; arts in chaos; and Joburg DIY fixes",
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  "summary": "This weekend's headlines reveal the murky depths of political party funding in South Africa, a cultural minister who went AWOL on festival support, and communities in Johannesburg stepping up to fix what the city can't—because sometimes, DIY is the only way to keep the lights on.",
  "introduction": "<ul><li>• South Africa's political party funding remains opaque, with significant uncertainty surrounding the ANC's financial sources.</li><li>• Cultural chaos ensues as Minister Gayton McKenzie backtracks on promised support for key festivals, leaving the sector in limbo.</li><li>• In Johannesburg, community groups are stepping up to repair essential services as the city government falters amid ongoing decline.</li><li>• A Stellenbosch official's controversial remarks on hiring practices spark outrage and an investigation into potential discrimination.</li></ul>",
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