Concerns as several legacy foundations withdraw from National Convention
Political analyst, Professor Bheki Mngomezulu says all these foundations represent the former stalwarts of the liberation struggle and their decision for them to withdraw has raised eyebrows of what really happened.
He foresees that the entire process will now be looked at negatively.
The foundations pulled out, citing several issues including government control and rushed planning.
In the wake of this a Convention Organising Committee has since been formed.
Convention scheduled for Friday will now be organised and run by the new group comprising of among others civil society, Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac), Unisa and the Presidency.
The event is a precursor to the National Dialogue, a people-led, society-wide process to reflect on the state of the country and to reimagine its future.
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IOL News
20 minutes ago
- IOL News
Ramaphosa to Mbeki and legacy foundations: ‘National Dialogue will proceed with or without you'
President Cyril Ramaphosa has responded to the withdrawal of several legacy foundations from the upcoming National Dialogue, saying 'the show goes on.' Image: ANC/X President Cyril Ramaphosa has responded to the withdrawal of several legacy foundations from the upcoming National Dialogue, saying 'the show goes on' and that dialogue will continue with or without legacy foundations, including former President Thabo Mbeki. Ramaphosa said that through his spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, during a media briefing at the Union Buildings on Thursday afternoon. This comes amid mounting criticism of the dialogue process from political parties, civil society groups, and prominent legacy foundations. The National Convention for the National Dialogue is scheduled to take place in Pretoria on 15 and 16 August. Magwenya emphasised that the convention is not the dialogue itself, but rather a platform to set the agenda and map out a roadmap for the broader National Dialogue. 'The National Convention is not the actual dialogue,' said Magwenya. 'It is a platform where the agenda for the National Dialogue will be set and agreed upon. The roadmap for the rollout of the actual dialogue will also be affirmed.' He said that the inclusivity of the process should not be questioned at this stage, as the convention is just the beginning of a nine-month, nationwide engagement. 'It's always been understood that this is the kick-off of the dialogue process. Out of the National Convention, we will get a clear roadmap for dialogues in communities, wards, districts and sectoral groups. At the end of this nine-month process, all South Africans will have had an opportunity to participate.' Magwenya dismissed concerns about the legitimacy of the process, arguing that the withdrawal of seven foundations does not undermine its credibility. 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 'With respect to the National Convention and the withdrawal of seven foundations - with all due respect, these foundations do not represent the majority of South Africans.' Last week on Friday, IOL News reported that several prominent legacy foundations announced their withdrawal from the process, including the Steve Biko Foundation, Thabo Mbeki Foundation, Chief Albert Luthuli Foundation, Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation, WDB Foundation, Oliver and Adelaide Tambo Foundation, and the Strategic Dialogue Group. In a joint statement, the organisations expressed 'deep regret,' saying their decision was necessary to protect the credibility and integrity of the process. They accused organisers of deviating from the original citizen-led vision and shifting towards government control. 'What began as a citizen-led initiative has unfortunately, in practice, shifted towards government control,' the statement read. Magwenya dismissed the notion that the foundations represent defined constituencies, arguing that their absence would not diminish the legitimacy or inclusiveness of the convention. 'These foundations were never set up to be constituency groups, as far as we understand, unless that has changed. We now have close to 1,000 confirmed delegates. The Convention will be representative of all sectors of society through the different formations and groups that have accepted invitations to attend.' He added that the dialogue must eventually reach communities, industries, households and other sectors. 'It can't be held over two days at a university campus - that would be illogical. The credibility of the dialogue is not a once off exercise . It will depend on the level of participation across communities and the outcomes of that process.' Magwenya rejected the idea that the credibility of the dialogue could be determined by one person or a handful of organisations. 'South Africa is much bigger than any one individual or any single foundation. It would've been great to have former (President Mbeki) there – but if he's not there, he's not there.' 'The reality is that the show will go on, and South Africans will continue with the dialogue process. Hopefully, at some point, not only the Thabo Mbeki Foundation and others will eventually decide to participate in the process and realise that there's no benefit out the boycotting the people of South Africa.' 'Boycotting the process is not boycotting the government – it's boycotting the people of South Africa.' He added that the dialogue process does not belong to Ramaphosa or the government 'It belongs to all South Africans. Those who choose not to participate are not disadvantaged by the president or the government – they are choosing not to be part of the broader national conversation.' Several political parties have also withdrawn from the National Dialogue.
IOL News
4 hours ago
- IOL News
National Convention denies knowledge of challenges as National Dialogue draws fire over transparency
Concerns over National Dialogue grow as major foundations withdraw, National Convention denies knowledge of challenges. Image: GCIS The National Convention says it is unaware of concrete reasons behind a wave of withdrawals from the National Dialogue, even as several prominent foundations pulled out and major political parties condemned the process as impractical and wasteful. This follows several organisations withdrawing their participation due to concerns over transparency, funding, and the intentions, alleging that the government had hijacked the process. Several high-profile foundations, including the Steve Biko Foundation, Thabo Mbeki Foundation, Chief Albert Luthuli Foundation, Desmond and Leah Tutu Foundation, FW de Klerk Foundation, Oliver and Adelaide Tambo Foundation, and the Strategic Dialogue Group, Spokesperson Rev Zwoitwaho Nevhutalu told IOL that thirty sectors were identified to constitute the first National Convention. 'Our organisers now face a challenge of battling with people who want to come in, but we don't have space anymore, so we are completely oversubscribed.' He rejected claims that the government was taking over the process, insisting the government's role had been to support rather than dominate the negotiations. 'The Legacy foundations raised none of the issues about the government taking over our process,' Nevhutalu said, noting that the Legacy Foundations were part of the preparatory framework that underpins the convention. He argued that the Eminent Persons Group (EPG) provided ongoing advice and that the Preparatory Task Team (PTT) had proposed ways to preserve the convention's quality while expanding citizen participation. 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 ✕ Asked about the withdrawals, he said he was unaware of specific grievances beyond concerns raised about government influence. 'Those who pulled it out were the Democratic Alliance in reaction to the president's firing of one of the deputy ministers. And they started taking it out at the National Convention,' he said. Nevhutalu pointed to the EPG's role in ensuring compliance with laws and processes, and he insisted that the ongoing engagement window remained wide for those who chose to participate. 'There's a big window of opportunity for people to engage… the EPG will engage with those who have dissociated themselves from the National Dialogue,' he said, urging non-participants to reconsider and join 'the dialogue for the nation.' The controversy comes as several high-profile foundations - including the Steve Biko Foundation, Thabo Mbeki Foundation, Chief Albert Luthuli Foundation, Desmond and Leah Tutu Foundation, FW de Klerk Foundation, Oliver and Adelaide Tambo Foundation, and the Strategic Dialogue Group — have either expressed reservations or withdrawn entirely from the process. Critics argue that the dialogue risks legitimising a process that could be out of touch with ordinary South Africans. At the same time, the country grapples with a severe cost-of-living crisis, rising unemployment, and diminishing public services. Meanwhile, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and other parties have publicly rejected the National Dialogue. They describe it as 'outrageous and wasteful,' citing an estimated spend of at least R700 million at a time of hardship for many citizens.
The Citizen
4 hours ago
- The Citizen
Calls for Kolisi & Co to ‘save' the National Dialogue, ActionSA claims convention will cost R25 million
The government has been accused of 'hijacking' the National Dialogue, leading to several prominent foundations pulling out. The South African Council of Churches (SACC) have appealed to the Imminent Persons Group (EPG) to unite all South Africans behind the National Dialogue (ND). This comes as a number of political parties have distanced themselves from participating in the first national convention, which begins on Friday. Several legacy foundations, including the Thabo Mbeki Foundation and the Chief Albert Luthuli Foundation, have also pulled out of the organising committee due to concerns over the lack of transparency in funding the National Dialogue and alleged poor planning. The SACC believes that the EPG, which includes Lindiwe Mazibuko, Prof Tinyiko Maluleke, Siya Kolisi and Roelf Meyer, can still save the day and unite the country behind the National Dialogue. 'As the national Church Leaders of the SACC, we fundamentally believe that at this juncture, the Eminent Persons Group (EPG) should provide moral leadership that will unite us all. 'The very formation of the EPG was positioned as being empowered to make sure that in everything related to the National Dialogue, it becomes the face of its leadership, and the voice of reason to speak truth to all actors at all times,' the church leaders said. They also appealed to the EPG to ensure that there is no wastage of public funds during the different phases of the National Dialogue. 'We ask all South Africans to consider the EPG's approaches seriously. 'We urge the EPG to ensure that the funds provided for the process of the National Dialogue will be properly monitored and used for their rightful purpose,' they said. Should they have postponed? The SACC said they also believed that the first national convention should have been postponed to allow more time for better planning and citizen participation. 'The church leaders believe that a postponement of the National Convention would have been a wise route to consider, to create the space required to reflect on the many moving parts of this process and align us on the core needs of the people of South Africa. 'This could allow us all to work together to maximise unity through an inclusive journey from the start,' they said. All systems go for the national convention Meanwhile, one of the organisers of the first convention told The Citizen that delegates to the convention had begun arriving on Thursday afternoon. More than 1 000 people were expected to attend the first national convention at the University of South Africa (Unisa) in Pretoria. 'It is all systems go. Delegates only arrive on Thursday, most in the afternoon. The most important people at the convention will be South African citizens. It is their convention, not based on any social status,' said a spokesperson for the convention, Zwoitwaho Nevhutalu. ActionSA is counting the costs of the first convention While Nevhutalu says any concerns around the conventions budget should be addressed by the Presidency, ActionSA parliamentary leader Athol Trollip told The Citizen that he has learnt that R25 million had been sent to the government's National Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac) account for this weekend's event. 'I also heard that the proposed budget was R42m, so the question is where is the remaining or missing R17 million,' asked Trollip. He said he has also been informed that this money will be drawn from the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation. 'I'm told the funding comes from the department of monitoring and evaluation, yet, as a member of that portfolio, I have no idea of this appropriation and what opportunity costs there will be, as a result of the redirection of these funds. 'This is precisely why we've sent two senior MPs with a watching/listening brief to the dialogue this weekend,' he said. Trollip accused the ANC of trying to 'hijack' the National Dialogue. 'We won't allow the ANC to hijack this process to shore up their flagging political support and use tax payers' money to fund their 2026 local government election campaign,' he said. Presidency explains money issues In a statement earlier this week, the Presidency said the costs of the first convention were being funded from Nedlac's existing budgets and the Presidency for secretariat support, communications and logistics. 'The provisions in the Appropriation Act and the PFMA will be used to reimburse the Department of Employment and Labour and Nedlac in the adjustments budget later this year,' said the government. According to the Presidency, donations have been received for the National Dialogue digital platform. 'Some goods and services, such as the venue, screens for public viewing, and rail and road transport, are being provided at no cost. The reduced costs associated with the hosting of the National Dialogue, and the funding plan are done to reduce the cost to the fiscus. ALSO READ: Still no confirmation on cost of controversial National Dialogue Will former president Thabo Mbeki show up? Bongani Kupe, a special projects manager at the Thabo Mbeki Foundation, said the legacy foundation who were spearheading the National Dialogue will not attend this weekend's convention. 'We did go and explain [our concerns] to the president. This is not citizen-led; it is now led by the government. It is not inclusive, and there is no thorough preparation for this convention. 'The president said, despite us raising these issues, he wants to go ahead with this,' he said. Drawing up a framework This weekend's convention will come up with a framework of how the National Dialogue will be carried out in communities. At least 30 sectors have been invited. They will represent their constituencies in developing themes and discussion documents for the National Dialogue. A second National Dialogue will be held next year, where a social compact will be produced for consideration by parliament. ALSO READ: 'Bring all to dialogue': Experts insist national dialogue must be people-driven
