Small parties cite funding challenges ahead of local polls

Small parties have put the spotlight on political funding ahead of local government elections.

Parties such as to The South African Mass Movement (SAMMO), African People’s Convention (APC) and MOVESA have shared the challenges they face in the build up to the November polls.

APC Makhado Local Municipality mayoral candidate Tirani Mthetho says although the party is proudly self-funded, they struggle with getting their political message to reach all corners of the country.

“The APC is now 19 years-old and a self-funded organisation. So sometimes it is very difficult for us to penetrate in other areas. That is where sometimes you’ll find that there’s no posters or there aren’t enough posters. But so far so good, we are pushing, we’re doing the best we can do in terms of pushing the organisation. We are in the better position today because we believe that without a funder, we can still make it and make sure that everybody gets what they want.”