The DA has confirmed its leader John Steenhuisen’s “fact-finding mission” trip to Ukraine was funded by The Brenthurst Foundation.
The foundation was established by the Oppenheimer family to build on the work of the Brenthurst Initiative of 2003. This was a programme that instigated debate around policy strategies in South Africa to accelerate economic expansion.
The foundation has four South African advisers - former president and ANC’s Kgalema Motlanthe, Mcebisi Jonas who is also an ANC member, Jonathan Oppenheimer and Polly Carr, also with Oppenheimer Generations.
On May 4, the party released a media statement confirming Steenhuisen was in Ukraine to speak for the country.
“I am in Ukraine to see for myself and to speak for my country. Someone must. It is strongly in South Africa’s interest to stand with the free world and come out hard against Russian aggression,” Steenhuisen said last week.
This sparked a debate even on social media where South Africans wondered what was the reason for Steenhuisen to go to the war torn country which was currently under attack from Russia.
According to a news report, the foundation’s director Greg Mills said they funded the trip for Steenhuisen and a photographer.
The foundation was not available for a comment, however, DA member and MP Natasha Mazzone told The Star on Sunday: “I can confirm that Steenhuisen’s trip was sponsored by the foundation.
“Steenhuisen is determined to fight tyranny, at home and around the world, he is also determined to find out the truth. International events have a huge effect on South Africa. It’s hard to trust what the government tells us given all the mixed stories. He needs to hear and see for himself. He will always be on the ground, seeing first hand. The truth must always come first.”
Although the ANC’s policy is in support, Motlanthe and Jonas are part of the foundation.
Political analyst Dr Ralph Mathekga said Motlanthe does not follow the ANC line on Russia.
“Clearly Motlanthe does not follow the ANC line on Russia, and Jonas is not much attached to the ANC now. It makes sense,” said Mathekga.
ANC national spokesperson Pule Mabe was contacted for a comment but did not respond.
In an ANC media statement in March this year after a National Working Committee (NWC), the party said the NWC was concerned.
“The NWC expressed deep concern regarding the escalation of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. It reaffirmed the ANC’s conviction that international relations should be underpinned by a commitment to development, democracy, human rights, peace and security, in line with the clarion call by the Freedom Charter that there shall be peace and friendship” said the NWC in the statement
The statement further said: “It expressed its abhorrence at the suffering caused to ordinary people in every country that is involved, either directly or indirectly, in this conflict and called upon progressive formations globally to ensure that any harm to civilians invites appropriate repercussions in line with the values of a humane, just, equitable, democratic, and free world. The NWC reiterated the call by President Ramaphosa that the UN Security Council should pursue a peaceful and diplomatic resolution of the conflict in line with the precepts of the UN Charter.”