The team is owned by a Chinese businessman with strong links to South Africa.Questions have emerged over President Jacob Zuma‘s foundation’s sponsorship of the China Formula E racing team, which is owned by a Chinese businessman with links to South Africa.
Pictures emerged two weeks ago of the foundation’s logo splashed across panels in the team’s garage during one of the races, which are held across the globe, but not in South Africa.
This racing class held its first race last year and features vehicles which look similar to Formula 1 cars, but which are powered by electric motors.
While it’s claimed on the Jacob Zuma Foundation website that its patron recognises the need for foreign development and partnerships, there’s no mention of its sponsorship of the Team China Formula E Race Team anywhere.
The team was founded to compete in the A1 Grand Prix (A1GP) more than a decade ago by Chinese businessman Yu Liu together with the Chinese Ministry of Sport.
Liu reportedly moved to South Africa in the 1980s where he operated businesses in the gold and diamond sectors before returning to his home country in 2004.
According to the foundation website the only sports development it sponsors is the annual Msholozi Soccer Tournament in KwaZulu-Natal.
It’s the far cry from the high tech Formula E racing, which at this stage has no link to South Africa except for Yu Liu.
Foundation board chairperson Dudu Myeni told Eyewitness News she will respond to questions when she gets a response from the president.
The presidency, meanwhile, referred questions back to the foundation.