Unfortunately, his points are rubbished by his indiscriminate echoing of the popular media's fixation on seeking sensation in anything the ANC promotes. I cite merely two examples of this from Boyle's article.

He writes: "For a considerable sum - which is not publicly advertised - you can buy PBF [Progressive Business Forum] membership in various categories and get invited to functions with ANC leaders, who happen also to run the government departments that formulate policy and whose tenders are the fountain of new wealth in this country." Stated as such, it sounds as if the ANC has stumbled across a fountain of cash, which it is determined to exploit, regardless of ethics.

The truth, however, is that there is nothing sinister to it. Click on "Join the PBF" on the website, and up comes an application form indicating fees of up to R7 500 per annum for SMMEs, and slightly more for bigger companies.

Hardly considerable sums, and clearly not amounts that will induce corruption on tenders worth millions of rands. Let's get real.

PBF participants realise the value and importance of dialogue. Especially in a developing country such as ours, with its unique challenges, corporate South Africa and the ANC naturally have to share with each other their views on the economy.

Boyle's second inaccuracy is that the PBF nominates its participants onto so-called government-led, government-funded trade delegations. The truth? The PBF itself arranges, and its participants themselves fund these delegations, even covering the expenses of the ANC minister who accompanies them.

This may not fall nicely on the ears of those intent on portraying the PBF as sinister and abusive of taxpayers' resources, but, alas, to the PBF's own financial detriment, it carries the expense - precisely to prevent any criticism about the misappropriation of taxpayers' money. In addition, the PBF provides its participants with complimentary training, publications and a range of other activities, all included in the fee paid. Clearly, therefore, the PBF is much more than a simple cash cow to benefit the ANC; it has a far more strategic function.

The writer acknowledges the need for South African parties to raise money in order to function effectively, as is the case in many other democracies. However, it appears that, to satisfy the critics, South African parties have to dream up alternative means of a higher ethical standard. Please, match your diligence in criticism with diligence in putting forward ideas as to how parties could raise funds "ethically".