Presidency caught up in battle with civil society groups over direction & cost of National Dialogue
It said the total budget for the dialogue would be developed once the structure and form of the community dialogues were finalised by the convention.
On Friday, the foundations of former presidents pulled out of the gathering, citing a lack of funding and insufficient time to prepare.
But President Cyril Ramaphosa has dug in his heels, saying the first convention will go ahead as planned this coming Friday.
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• ANC calls for urgent resolution to disputes surrounding the upcoming National Dialogue
• National Dialogue: ActionSA rethinking participation after key foundations' withdrawal
• SAns urged to be more active citizens & contribute towards rebuilding country
Ever since the initial more than R700 million price tag was first attached to the event, it's sparked debate over whether the country could afford such an undertaking given constraints on the fiscus and the country's many urgent needs.
While foundations that have withdrawn from the occasion have argued that more money is needed, the Presidency said on Sunday that the budget would depend on in-kind contributions, donations, and other resources that may be mobilised.
On Friday, seven legacy foundations, including that of Thabo Mbeki, FW de Klerk, Steve Biko and Desmond and Leah Tutu, pulled out of the occasion over clashes with the Presidency.
The University of South Africa will be providing free venues for the national convention, while there have also been donations for screens for public viewing and free transport.
The Presidency said that money would come from the budgets of NEDLAC and itself to cover the rest of the costs associated with the first convention.
Spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said that public funds would be strictly monitored.
"The reduced cost associated with the hosting of the National Dialogue and the funding plan are done with the intention of reducing the cost to the fiscus."
Magwenya said that under the leadership of Deputy President Paul Mashatile, the inter-ministerial committee had been working to mobilise resources for the convention.
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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. 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