Investigation: Are Taxpayers Funding the Patriotic Alliance's Election Campaign?
A storm is brewing around the Department of Arts and Culture as questions mount over whether taxpayers’ money is being used to bankroll what appears to be a Patriotic Alliance (PA) election roadshow disguised as a “gospel concert”.
The event, funded through the minister’s arts and culture portfolio, features prominent PA-affiliated personalities, Jonathan Rubain, Veronica Meyer, Roland Miggels, and several others, all well-known public supporters or influencers of the Patriotic Alliance.
While the department’s communications describe it as an “arts and culture empowerment festival,” the optics suggest something far more political. With banners, green-and-gold branding, and messaging echoing the party’s campaign slogans, the event looks and feels like a pre-election rally just one paid for by the public.
This raises a fundamental question: why are taxpayer funds being used to promote a political party’s public image?
Even more curious is the location of the West Coast. It’s no secret that the region has become strategically important for the PA, which has been trying to expand its footprint beyond traditional urban strongholds. Insiders suggest the party is targeting the area as part of a broader Western Cape campaign strategy ahead of the 2026 local government elections.
Adding to the unease is the resurgence of Joslin’s image on posters and online material connected to the event. For many residents, the use of her story feels manipulative and exploitative, reopening wounds for a community still seeking justice and closure.
If these suspicions prove true, the implications are serious. Public money earmarked for arts development meant to uplift struggling artists and promote inclusive cultural programs could be illegally diverted into partisan campaigning.
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South Africa has seen this playbook before: the blurring of state and party resources, the misuse of culture and religion to mobilise support, and the erosion of trust in public institutions. The public deserves transparency.
Parliament’s oversight committees, the Auditor-General, and the Public Protector must urgently investigate whether any Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) violations occurred, and whether departmental funds were misused for political gain.
At its core, this is not just a question of politics, it’s a matter of ethics, accountability, and democracy. South Africans deserve assurance that their taxes are building the nation, not funding campaign rallies under the guise of gospel concerts.
* Sebastian Petersen is a seasoned leader and broadcaster with over 20 years of experience in government and community leadership. As the owner of Afrikaap Radio, he champions cultural preservation and leadership development, blending academic insight with practical experience to empower local voices and inspire positive change in South Africa.
** The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of IOL or Independent Media.