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IOL News
16 hours ago
- Politics
- IOL News
AfriForum, Solidarity join legacy foundations in withdrawing from National Dialogue
Solidarity and AfriForum have announced that the are pulling out from the upcoming National Dialogue, days after key legacy foundations also pulled out from the event. Image: X/AfriForum Controversial lobby groups Afriforum and Solidarity have announced they are pulling out of the upcoming National Dialogue, days after key legacy foundations also withdrew from the highly anticipated event. The first National Convention is set to take place at UNISA's main campus in Pretoria from August 15 to 16, 2025. Speaking at a media briefing on Tuesday, Afriforum CEO Kallie Kriel said the two lobby groups had decided not to participate in this weekend's national dialogue. 'The reason for that is simple. The current process has been captured by the ANC as well as President Ramaphosa,' he said. Kriel claimed Ramaphosa had turned the national dialogue into an ANC monologue. 'They want to dictate the agenda and they expect us to just listen. The fact is, we must remember the crisis in the country, where it comes from. It's because of many years of ANC mismanagement, corruption, as well as failed policies.' 'So why on earth would we want to trust the reason for a crisis to drive the agenda and prescribe the solution? This dialogue should be in the hands of civil society.' 'We will continue to push for that, but while we're pushing, we must continue our discussions on a grassroots level with various communities. Every forum has done so for many years.' 'That is why we have agreements with various communities: the Barolong, Busuleka, Namabele and Bakgatla communities. These are not just talkshops - or well, it's not talk shops - but these discussions are converted into agreements and practical projects.' 'That is where we see the future with real dialogue and cooperation. I see a great future, not because of President Ramaphosa and the ANC-led government, but despite them,' Kriel said. Meanwhile, Dr Dirk Hermann, chief executive of Solidarity, also announced his organisation was pulling out of the dialogue. 'Dear President Ramaphosa. The people of South Africa want to talk, but do not want to talk to you. You have lost the trust of South Africans,' he said. Hermann claimed citizens saw the national dialogue in its current format for what it is: a state-sponsored ANC revival project. 'With all due respect, we are not interested in the revival of the ANC. People of South Africa have begun a great dialogue, but it is different from the so-called national dialogue. People are talking in their workplaces, around the braai, at sporting events and in churches about a longing for a different dispensation,' he said. 'They do not want to have nice talks with an ANC-led government; they want them gone. The great dialogue already began at the ballot box when the ANC was punished by 40%. This was the first vote of the people.' 'After the people's voices were heard at the ballot box, more voices were raised that the community should talk to each other. This was initiated, among others, by some of the foundations.' Hermann said the idea of a national dialogue was born from an imploding ANC, which is leading the Government of National Unity (GNU). 'The ANC was alarmed by this and hijacked the spontaneous community dialogue. The national dialogue became a state dialogue. It was born in the Union Buildings by you, as president, wearing an ANC robe. The moment that happened, the national dialogue was stillborn.' 'The need for dialogue came from the community. It is precisely because of a deep rift with the government that people want to talk about a different kind of dispensation.' He said the government feels threatened by this type of dialogue and has therefore decided to hijack it. 'The government does not want to engage in open dialogue, but rather wants to determine the agenda and outcome of the dialogue in favour of the ANC. They are, with very good reason, afraid of a dialogue that will expose them even further.' 'The voices of people who want to speak cannot be silenced by trying to control them. Solidarity and the larger Solidarity Movement like to talk. We have a history of talking and will continue to talk.' 'However, we believe even more in doing. We don't just talk, we build alternatives. Take a look at what we have already built.' Hermann said they are going to talk to unions, foundations, cultural communities and other civic organisations. 'We are going to talk about the larger community's frustration with the ANC-led government. We are going to talk about how things should look different and what needs to be done.' He said they will participate in community dialogue but not state dialogue. 'Mr President, leave our community alone. We want to talk about South Africa beyond the current ANC. We are so looking forward to it. We are going to talk, and our talks will not be hijacked,' Hermann added. The National Dialogue, however, has been rocked by the withdrawal of several prominent organisations, 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 issued on Friday, the group said the decision was made with 'deep regret' but was necessary to protect the process's credibility and integrity. They accused the organisers of shifting the initiative away from its citizen-led origins towards government control. 'What began as a citizen-led initiative has unfortunately in practice shifted towards government control,' the statement read. Meanwhile, President Cyril Ramaphosa said the upcoming National Dialogue must serve as a platform for 'women to raise their voices'. With the first National Convention taking place during Women's Month, he called on all sectors of society to come together to ensure the full participation of all women in the National Dialogue. 'This would be the most fitting and powerful tribute to the legacy of the pioneers of 1956,' he said in his weekly newsletter on Monday. Thousands of community dialogues across the country are expected to form part of the National Dialogue process, and 60% of the costs for the project will be funded by the government. This was said on Monday by National Convention organising committee spokesperson Reverend Zwoitwaho Nevhutalu, who clarified that the widely discussed R700 million budget for the national dialogue was not a government allocation but a draft figure prepared by the preparatory task team. The clarification comes after the estimated R700 million price tag ignited criticism from trade unions, political parties, academics, and sectors of civil society - especially in a context of austerity measures, service delivery failures, and deepening inequality. Speaking at a media briefing at UNISA on Monday about the state of readiness to host the first convention, Nevhutalu said, 'The budget that people were talking about, the R700 million and so on, was a budget prepared by the preparatory task team. It's not a government budget.' He added that the conceptual funding framework envisages 60% of costs being covered by the government through the fiscus, while the remaining 40% would come from donors in cash and in kind. Contributions would be sought from businesses, the private sector and civil society, with organisations such as churches and municipalities providing infrastructure and venues. 'Civil society has already done a lot,' he said. Nevhutalu further stressed that the initiative is a 'people's project' and not solely a government undertaking. He said, therefore, that most of the proposed funding would go towards community dialogues, which are planned to take place in every ward across the country. 'It is expected that we're going to have three dialogues per ward for the duration. I think it comes to like 13,600 dialogues,' he said. These sessions will focus on grassroots discussions about the future vision of South Africa. He added that the budget remains provisional, with the Treasury still in discussions over the government's contribution. Entities will also be approached and mobilised by the steering committee and eminent persons groups to secure additional support, he said. 'This is a people's project. It's not something that is really a government project,' Nevhutalu said. National Convention organising committee chairperson Boichoko Ditlhake said 775 individuals have been invited from over 30 sectors and more than 200 organisations. 'As of Monday, 557 people from 28 sectors had confirmed attendance,' he said. [email protected] IOL Politics
Eyewitness News
17 hours ago
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
AfriForum, Solidarity join legacy foundations in boycotting national convention
JOHANNESBURG - AfriForum and the Solidarity movement have joined legacy foundations in boycotting this weekend's first national convention. The group said the National Dialogue had been hijacked by the African National Congress (ANC). ALSO READ: National convention organisers say event will still be led by citizens This weekend, a precursor to the National Dialogue will be hosted, where representatives from different sectors of society will meet to set the agenda for the dialogue. But last week, legacy foundations, including the Thabo Mbeki, the Desmond and Leah Tutu, and the Steve Biko foundations, withdrew from this weekend's convention. AfriForum and Solidarity have aligned themselves with the views of the legacy foundations that this weekend's national convention will not be citizen-led, as initially intended. They said they were keen to be part of the dialogue when they were invited by organisations like the Thabo Mbeki Foundation. ALSO READ: • Parliament's appropriations committee to query funding of National Dialogue • Presidency compares upcoming National Dialogue to CODESA • National Dialogue: Legacy foundations say it wasn't a knee-jerk reaction to withdraw • COSATU backs national convention despite tensions • Presidency caught up in battle with civil society groups over direction & cost of National Dialogue But Solidarity's chairperson, Flip Buys, said it now seemed like the ANC wanted to hijack the National Dialogue to try and win back lost support. "The ANC has been responsible for most of the crisis in the country and cannot solve it on their own. Therefore, in the country's interest, we are prepared to participate in real talks with others about solutions, but such discussions must not be an ANC-led process that will only end up in a cul-de-sac." AfriForum said while it would be withdrawing from this weekend's convention like the legacy foundations, it would be consulting with the groups on their stance towards the entire National Dialogue.
The Citizen
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Citizen
ANC and DA trade barbs over City of Tshwane's cleaning levy
The DA accused the City of Tshwane of wasting taxpayers' money. The City of Tshwane (CoT) used three advocates and hundreds of papers to argue, and lose, the cleaning levy case in the Pretoria High Court last Thursday. The court ruled that the fee was illegal and invalid. AfriForum approached the court to set aside the metro's decision to impose a new mandatory monthly levy of R194.37 (excluding VAT) on approximately 260 000 households and businesses within the metro. AfriForum argued that the levy amounted to illegal and unfair double taxation, especially in cases where residents do not benefit from the metro's refuse removal service and are forced to use private service providers, she said. ALSO READ: Tshwane and Joburg squeeze residents for cash Tshwane MMC accuses DA of introducing cleaning levy However, the MMC for Environment and Agriculture Management, Obakeng Ramabodu, clapped back and said the City of Tshwane will appeal this judgment as it believes a cleaning levy, aimed at improving the maintenance of landfills, is necessary. He also accused the DA of introducing the levy while it was running the city. 'Much has been made of this cleansing levy, and it must be noted that a cleansing levy is not unique to the City of Tshwane. A cleansing levy was introduced in Tshwane between 2016 and 2021 by the erstwhile government, which now claims to take exception to it,' he said. DA accuses Tshwane of wasting taxpayers' money DA Tshwane caucus leader, Cilliers Brink, said his party will write to the city manager to investigate the handling of the cleaning fee. Brink said the judgment in the Pretoria High Court setting aside the cleaning levy revealed the extent to which Tshwane's ANC-led coalition is wasting taxpayers' money. 'AfriForum took the levy on review, and the judge was scoffing at the city's conduct of the case. Not only did the court point to the failure of the city to produce policy documents on which its defence was based, but [it] also criticised the overreach of the city in employing three advocates to argue the case and producing hundreds of pages of socially irrelevant documents,' he said. Brink stated that the cost of every page and billable hour for the advocates was at the expense of the residents of Tshwane. 'The irony is that this money is spent to justify a levy which the city cannot even explain. 'In the paragraph, the judge even issues a warning to the city's legal representatives of the professional, ethical implications of pulling up such a bad case,' he added. ALSO READ: Levy court battle far from over Brink said when the levy was debated in council, the DA rejected the idea of such a levy as a way of filling the city's coffers. 'The same budget which raised the levy did not increase the allocation for city cleanings. The ANC-coalition didn't actually plan to spend the money on city cleansing,' he said. Brink questioned the City of Tshwane's decision to appeal the court judgment on the cleaning levy. 'If the city's legal team could not even produce documents that the city relied on to defend the levy in court, it's unclear how they would sustain an appeal.'
The Citizen
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Citizen
'Courage shown by freedom fighters should be extended'-Mashatile
Mashatile said the ANC would continue to honour the country's freedom fighters. Deputy President Paul Mashatile says South Africa must never allow the death of freedom fighters to be in vain as the country progresses on a path of healing and protecting its democracy. Mashatile was speaking during the unveiling of a bust of former uMkhonto WeSizwe operative Mbulelo Ngono in the village of Lurhwayizo, Willowvale, in the Eastern Cape on Thursday. The freedom fighter was presumed dead around 1988 after he was abducted by the South African Security Police from Lesotho. Since then, it is unknown what happened to him. ALSO READ: Human Rights Day: 'SA needs to restore friendship and ubuntu' – Madonsela Mashatile said the courage shown by freedom fighters should be extended towards the government's priorities, which he said include inclusive growth, job creation, reducing poverty and the high cost of living and building an ethical state. 'We will forever remember their selflessness, courage, and commitment to fighting for the rights and freedoms of all in our nation. In all of them, we saw a steadfast drive and courage in the face of adversity, demonstrating great bravery, strength, and determination under very challenging circumstances.' 'Hero' Mashatile said Ngono was a heroic Umkhonto weSizwe soldier, who demonstrated 'amazing fortitude' during a 36-hour combat in 1987. 'His bravery and commitment to the fight for equality and freedom have left an everlasting impact on our country's history. 'His story exemplifies the sacrifices endured by countless heroes and heroines who relentlessly battled against oppression and injustice. His dedication to the Freedom Movement inspires us all, demonstrating the perseverance and drive that characterise our people's spirit,' Mashatile said. Remains Mashatile added that the government is obligated to continue efforts until the Ngono family's demand for the recovery, repatriation and reburial of the remains is ultimately met, allowing them to find closure. 'We are pleased that the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, through the NPA (National Prosecuting Authority) Missing Persons Task Team, has been activated and that this is one of the cases they are currently investigating,' said Mashatile. Freedom fighters Mashatile said the ANC would continue to honour the country's freedom fighters. 'The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa emphasises the importance of honouring those who have sacrificed their lives for the country, acknowledging past injustices, respecting those who have worked to build and develop the country, and believing that South Africa belongs to all its citizens, united in its diversity.' Task team He said the ANC-led government will forever honour the memory of these former MK Combatants and ensure that their legacy lives on. 'In honour of these brave individuals, we have established the Presidential Task Team on Military Veterans to resolve issues and needs brought to the attention of the Government, regarding Military Veterans' benefits and assistance as well as to improve access to services for them.' Mashatile said the unveiling of the Mbulelo Ngono Bust must be a reminder of where 'we come from as a country as we face the current challenges.' ALSO READ: WATCH: Mashatile denies family tied to multibillion-rand lottery deal
IOL News
7 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
What does the SACP's independence mean for the ANC's election future?
ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula warns that the SACP's decision to contest elections independently could weaken the National Democratic Revolution and have serious consequences for the broader liberation movement and alliance unity. ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula said that the party might have reached a point where it was no longer able to persuade the South African Communist Party (SACP) to abandon its decision to contest the elections. This comes after SACP general secretary Solly Mapaila confirmed that plans are on track for the South African Communist Party (SACP) to contest the 2029 general elections independently. Mapaila, speaking at the party's 104th anniversary in KwaDlangezwa, KwaZulu-Natal, accused the ANC of failing to implement alliance decisions and said the SACP was tired of 'meaningless meetings' that result in no action. He cited repeated frustrations, including the ANC's refusal to allow SACP ministers in ANC-led departments real authority and failure to drive core issues like land redistribution and the promotion of indigenous languages. He stressed that the decision to contest elections was a democratic resolution of the SACP's 2022 congress, not a personal agenda, even though he had initially opposed it. While affirming that the party would not leave the Tripartite Alliance, he made it clear that working-class representation in the state is long overdue. Speaking at the ANC NEC meeting media briefing, Mbalula said the ANC respects the South African Communist Party's right to operate independently and make its own electoral decisions. However, he warned that the SACP's move to contest local government elections outside of the ANC-led alliance structure could have serious consequences for the broader liberation movement.
