SABMiller`s political donations top R10m
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Consumer Industries Editor
CAPE TOWN World No 2 beer brewer SABMiller donated R5m to SA`s six largest political parties in its past financial year, and spent a similar sum on contributions to the campaigns and office-running costs of elected officials in the US.
The donations were made to those supporting the beer industry in US states that permitted such donations, the brewer said in its latest annual report.
SABMiller`s political donations in SA rank in size just behind Anglo American, which said in February it would donate R6m, half of which would be given to the African National Congress.
SABMiller`s donations are line with those of Standard Bank, which said in March it had donated a combined R5m to all parties contesting the April election.
Other big corporate donors to political parties include AngloGold, which donated a total of just over R3m in its 2003, and 2004 financial years, Liberty Life, which donated R1,5m, and Kumba and Sanlam, which each donated R1m to various parties.
SABMiller said its donations were made to parties that, in addition to a commitment to democracy, had demonstrated voter support by receiving at least 1% of the total votes in the 1999 parliamentary election. The six largest political parties received an amount in proportion to their support in 1999`s election.
In its social review for the year to March this year, the group said the power of state authorities to tax and regulate its operations made it important that it was `active in protecting our legitimate business interests`.
But it said it does this openly, without intervening in partisan politics. The group`s general policy is to make only exceptional political donations, in accordance with local laws.
SABMiller also made donations in Central America for municipal and presidential elections in El Salvador.
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Jul 29 2004 07:04:06:000AM Charlotte Mathews Business Day 1st Edition
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