Kerzner's own politics remain largely unknown, although he has tried to make a case for Sun City being a blow against apartheid - not a convincing one - and has contributed to the ANC coffers. Friends say that he is "straight down the middle" and never took much interest in the anti-apartheid struggle - at least, not until its leading lights were in government and positions of influence. But his closeness to Mandela is beyond question. As well as helping pay for Nelson's daughter's wedding, he secretly gave money to the ANC when only Mandela knew, and Mandela praised him as "by far the greatest entrepreneur in this country's tourist business".