SANDTON, SOUTH AFRICA JANUARY 16: Magda Wierzycka, CEO of Sygnia Group, during an interview at her office on January 16, 2018 in Sandton, South Africa. Wierzycka. 47, a refugee-to-riches turnaround expert is determined to do what she can to reverse SAs slide. (Photo by Gallo Images / Sunday Times / Alon Skuy)
SANDTON, SOUTH AFRICA JANUARY 16: Magda Wierzycka, CEO of Sygnia Group, during an interview at her office on January 16, 2018 in Sandton, South Africa. Wierzycka. 47, a refugee-to-riches turnaround expert is determined to do what she can to reverse SAs slide. (Photo by Gallo Images / Sunday Times / Alon Skuy)
With Parliament returning to session on Thursday afternoon, the eyes of a nation will be fixed on Cyril Ramaphosa: He’s set to field some difficult questions on the infamous CR17 donations, which have lead to accusations of money laundering being levelled against the president. However, Magda Wierzycka has now stormed into the debate.
Who is Magda Wierzycka? Net worth and business assets
The esteemed business figure is officially the richest woman in South Africa. Wierzyca is the co-founder and CEO of Sygnia Ltd, a financial services company. In 2018, her portfolio and net worth was estimated at R1.096 billion. Last week, she came to the defence of Cyril Ramaphosa – and those who funded his leadership bid:
“Everyone who contributed did so to stop corruption, reduce poverty and save SA from Zuma, Guptas etc. No one expected anything in return other than a well-run country (excluding Bosasa)… Can we please allow CR to focus on delivering growth? What are the alternatives? Back to Zuma years?”
Magda Wierzycka
Natasha Mazzone “hung out to dry”
Her ringing endorsement of Ramaphosa hasn’t endeared her to everyone, including the DA. The friction between the political party and the billionaire caused sparks on Thursday morning, as Wierzycka claimed that she had been approached by Shadow Public Enterprises Minister Natasha Mazzone for a political donation:
I have a question to DA. Mmusi, did you apply your mind to appointing Natasha Mazzone as shadow Minister of Public Enterprises? She approached me for a donation to DA prior to the elections. Cancelled when I said Sygnia doesn’t donate to political parties. Enough. Put SA first! https://t.co/UvHhta4ENU
— Magda Wierzycka (@Magda_Wierzycka) August 22, 2019
DA stand up for their shadow minister
The businesswoman has also denied funding the CR17 campaign, despite her open support for the president. But her accusations haven’t sat well with the second-biggest political party in South Africa.
She received criticism from several different DA representatives, including eThekwini Councillor Nicole Graham and Provincial Minister (MEC) for Education Western Cape, Debbie Schafer:
Well what should she have done? Popped round for tea then?
— Debbie Schafer (@DebbieSchafer) August 22, 2019
But this is very silly. There is nothing wrong with approaching businesses/ people for donations. Election campaigns are expensive and we don’t loot the state to pay for them. There’s a clear difference between that and the CR17 payments.
— Nicole Graham (@NicoleGraham031) August 22, 2019
Rest assured, John Steenhuisen also got his beak wet:
“This from the same person who proposed to solve the unemployment crisis in the country by people hiring more domestic workers and gardeners – hand wringing apologist for CR17, even hired his allies for her board.”
John Steenhuisen
Natasha Mazzone responds to Magda Wierzycka criticism
Mazzone has since responded in typically-robust fashion, slamming Wierzycka for being “all bark and no bite”. The politician expressed her disappointment in which side her adversary chose, slamming MW for failing to put South Africa first:
“Given all the noise you made about wanting to fight State Capture, of course I approached you. More fool me, you were all bark and no bite. I could offer you NOTHING but my continued fight against the ANC, State Capture and corruption. Instead, you donated to CR17.”
“Now we have to fight NHI, still captured SOE’s, a failing economy under President Ramaphosa, unemployment that is out of control, spiraling debt and so called “fighters for SA” such as yourself being equivocal on prescribed assets. So indeed… PUT SA FIRST.”
Natasha Mazzone
