Schmoozing with President Jacob Zuma does not come cheap. The African National Congress’s (ANC’s) Progressive Business Forum - a forum in the ANC which companies may join by subscription - is set to charge R500 000 for a presidential table of 10 at a banquet to be held on the sidelines of the ANC’s four-day policy conference, which begins on Monday.

As the ANC mulls the "second transition" and a possible new direction for the country’s economy, business men and women will be treated to an up close and personal interaction with Mr Zuma and his Cabinet, but it comes at a cost.

In addition to the networking lounge, exhibitions and VIP areas - a common feature at ANC conferences - this year’s event hosts a "Brics Colloquium", bringing together business and government leaders from Brazil, Russia, India, China and SA, the forum said yesterday.

Sponsorship packages are on offer. The titanium package costs a cool R500 000, which seats the lucky executive at Mr Zuma’s table - among other benefits.

The R250 000 platinum package will get an influence seeker a table hosted by a Cabinet minister, while a gold package worth R100 000 buys a table with a deputy minister and a silver package with a R50 000 price tag buys a table hosted by an MEC.

That is the cost of first-hand access to key players at the June 26-29 conference that is also a precursor to the ANC’s "watershed" national conference in December, where decisions on the policy talks unfolding next week will be made.

Packages include exhibition space, access to business breakfasts scheduled for the duration of the conference, and access to the VIP lounge - with benefits increasing for those with larger purses.

Benefactors may sponsor more than the prescribed package amount should they so wish.

The events for business on the sidelines of the policy gathering and the colloquium are organised by the co-conveners of the Progressive Business Forum, Renier Schoeman and Daryl Swanepoel.

Article continues on page two...