Hiccups as Ramaphosa meets Preparatory Task Team
And it wasn't good feedback.
Members of the PTT representing some of the Foundations involved in the initial planning, say the National Convention should be postponed to a later date.
But Ramaphosa is adamant the convention must proceed as scheduled.
In a statement, the President says in light of the difficulties within the PTT, the convention's organising team has been reorganised.
Various other social partners and civil society groups have now been added.
He says this will ensure the National Convention is successfully held from the 15th of August, and the National Dialogue process can begin.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
2 hours ago
- IOL News
National Dialogue may not be a success
President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the National Dialogue, which aims to facilitate conversations among diverse South African stakeholders, including government, civil society, and political organisations. However, it has already drawn criticism regarding its high costs. Image: ANC/X The much-anticipated National Dialogue, set to kick off with a National Convention at the University of South Africa (Unisa) in Pretoria on 15 and 16 August 2025, is facing mounting challenges, with the withdrawal of several high-profile foundations raising questions about its future success. The dialogue, which aims to facilitate conversations among diverse South African stakeholders, including government, civil society, and political organisations, has already drawn criticism regarding its high costs. The reported R700 million price tag for the event has caused concern, despite the Presidency's efforts to manage expenses and reduce the financial burden on taxpayers. In response to the growing criticism, the Presidency assured the public that the budgetary process for the National Dialogue adhered to the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), and that efforts had been made to secure services and facilities at no cost. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Unisa, for instance, has offered to host the event for free, providing a range of services such as venues, catering, Wi-Fi, and printing of discussion materials. Additionally, the government has secured further in-kind donations, including transportation, public viewing screens, and other logistical support, which the Presidency claims will significantly reduce the overall cost of the dialogue. The National Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac) and the Presidency will also contribute from their existing budgets to cover communication and logistical expenses. However, despite these efforts, the National Dialogue faces a crisis of participation. Key players in South Africa's civil society and political landscape have pulled out of the event. Prominent foundations, including the Steve Biko Foundation, the Thabo Mbeki Foundation, and the Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation, have all announced their decision to withdraw. These organisations have expressed concerns about the lack of adequate financing, the erosion of citizen leadership in the dialogue process, and the shift of control towards the government. According to the foundations, what began as a citizen-led initiative has gradually become dominated by government interests. They argue that the event, which was originally intended to empower citizens, has lost its focus due to the government's insistence on pushing forward with the convention, despite advice from the organising subcommittee chairs. The foundations further criticised the lack of a proper platform for meaningful dialogue, as well as the misalignment within the organising committee and the short timelines involved in organising the event. 'In pushing forward for a convention on 15 August at the will of government officials and against the advice of the subcommittee chairs, we believe that a critical moment in which citizens should be leading will be undermined,' the statement from the foundations read. While the dialogue is expected to draw leaders from various political parties and civil society organisations, the absence of these key foundations casts doubt on the true inclusiveness and effectiveness of the event.
IOL News
2 hours ago
- IOL News
Legacy foundations pull out of National Dialogue amid funding uncertainty
Seven leading foundations have withdrawn from the National Dialogue Convention, citing concerns over rushed planning, loss of citizen leadership, and lack of transparency in the process. Image: File Former President Thabo Mbeki has clarified the reasons for his foundation's withdrawal from the National Dialogue, a government initiative designed to unite South Africans in addressing the nation's most pressing issues. Mbeki stated that a key factor in the decision was the uncertainty regarding the R700 million allocated for the National Dialogue. Mbeki's foundation, along with other prominent legacy foundations, including the Steve Biko Foundation, Desmond and Leah Tutu Foundation, and FW de Klerk Foundation, withdrew from the National Dialogue Convention scheduled to kick off on Friday. The foundations cited concerns over the rushed timeline, inadequate preparation, and shift towards government control as reasons for their withdrawal. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading "We feel the organisation of the matter was not entirely honest as to where the funds will be directed," Mbeki said. "This is due to our belief that core principles meant to underpin the whole National Dialogue have been violated in the rush to host a gathering on August 15." The foundations also cited the absence of a confirmed, approved budget allocation and last-minute commitment of initial funds have made sound preparation impossible and deep disagreements exist within the Preparatory Task Team over the nature of the dialogue, readiness, governance, and risk. The foundations have proposed rescheduling the convention to after October 15 to allow for adequate preparation, coherence, and participatory integrity. The National Dialogue is an inclusive, citizen-driven process focused on developing a vision and plan for South Africa for the next 30 years. The Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) expressed strong disapproval regarding the proposed R700 million budget for the National Dialogue. 'Like many other rational South Africans, Cosatu was astonished that such a figure could even be suggested. This arbitrary budget number should be considered a verbal slip and a reckless error, best forgotten." Despite the withdrawal of the legacy foundations, President Cyril Ramaphosa has confirmed that the first national convention will proceed as scheduled. The Presidency further distanced itself from the estimated R700 million price tag for the dialogue. 'The Presidency wishes to confirm that all budgetary processes regarding the National Convention are consistent with the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA). 'The Inter-Ministerial Committee, which is chaired by Deputy President Paul Mashatile and comprises all relevant government departments to coordinate government's contribution towards the National Dialogue, has been working to mobilise resources for the convention and manage costs,' the presidency said in a statement yesterday.
IOL News
3 hours ago
- IOL News
First National Convention to Launch National Dialogue Across South Africa
The National Convention, which will take place over the coming weeks, is designed to open up public dialogues at the grassroots level. Image: Picture: Henk Kruger/ Independent Newspapers The first-ever National Convention is set to bring together 200 organisations from 33 diverse sectors, marking the beginning of an ambitious National Dialogue process aimed at fostering meaningful discussions across the country. The National Convention, which will take place over the coming weeks, is designed to open up public dialogues at the grassroots level. These conversations will take place in local communities and across various sectors, encouraging participation from citizens, organisations, and institutions from every corner of the country. The goal is to engage as many South Africans as possible, ensuring that people from all walks of life have a platform to voice their concerns and contribute to shaping the future of the its focus on inclusivity, the convention will feature a series of dialogues that will be held across South Africa, with sessions being organised in both urban and rural areas. These dialogues will touch on key issues facing the country, including social, economic, and political challenges. The aim is to identify common ground, foster understanding, and build a collective vision for the nation's progress. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ By involving a wide range of sectors — from education and healthcare to business, technology, and the arts — the National Dialogue will ensure that the views of various stakeholders are represented. The process is also set to provide a platform for the private sector, non-governmental organisations, and civil society groups to collaborate on solutions for the country's most pressing issues. The National Dialogue is seen as a crucial step in strengthening democratic processes in South Africa, empowering citizens, and promoting social cohesion. By engaging in these dialogues, the convention hopes to create a sense of shared responsibility, where citizens feel invested in the country's future and committed to working together towards positive change. Government officials and leaders from different sectors have expressed their support for the initiative, with many emphasising the importance of open dialogue in addressing South Africa's challenges. They have called on all South Africans to participate actively in the upcoming sessions, as the success of the National Dialogue depends on the broadest possible addition to local dialogues, sector-specific discussions will allow experts, professionals, and stakeholders to come together to discuss issues pertinent to their respective fields. This sectoral approach ensures that nuanced and specialised conversations can take place, leading to more targeted solutions and actionable outcomes. The National Convention will not only set the stage for public discussions but will also lay the groundwork for ongoing dialogue initiatives that will continue long after the event. The conversations started at the convention will be part of a larger, sustained effort to bring about lasting change and progress in South South Africa moves forward with this important dialogue process, it is clear that the National Convention represents a significant step towards a more united, inclusive, and participatory future. With the involvement of 200 organizations from 33 sectors, this initiative holds the potential to spark positive change and build a foundation for a stronger, more cohesive nation.
