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Daily Maverick
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Maverick
National Dialogue's big question of cost shrouded in mystery
How much will the National Dialogue cost? That's the (multi) million-rand question. The National Convention – the preclude to the National Dialogue – is supposed to be the launchpad for months of citizen-led talks about South Africa's future. However, it will be held later this week amid big questions over budget and readiness, and without the buy-in of several foundations that were behind the initial process. Last Friday, legacy foundations including the Thabo Mbeki Foundation, Steve Biko Foundation, Desmond and Leah Tutu Foundation and four others withdrew from the gathering, citing concerns over government control, the continued absence of a confirmed budget, and a rush to stage the National Convention on 15 and 16 August. 'The continued absence of a confirmed, approved budget allocation and a last-minute commitment of initial funds has made sound preparation impossible. This raises real risks of a poorly organised and unaccountable process. 'The push to proceed has created pressure to engage in emergency procurement, which may violate the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA),' the foundations said in a statement on Friday, 8 August. They said the withdrawal of their participation in the Preparatory Task Team (PTT) – which comprised the foundations, NGOs, community groups and representatives from the Presidency – and the first National Convention, did not mean a withdrawal from the National Dialogue project itself. While the Presidency has insisted that costs are being managed and will be largely covered by in-kind contributions, it has not revealed a final budget for the National Dialogue. This is because a budget for the National Dialogue will be finalised only after the National Convention, according to Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya. 'The total budget for the National Dialogue will be developed as the structure and form of the community dialogues are finalised by the Convention, and will depend on in-kind contributions, donations and other resources that can be mobilised,' a statement from Magwenya said on Sunday, 10 August. In response to questions, Magwenya told Daily Maverick: '[The] total budget will be confirmed after the finalisation of the full roll-out process of the Dialogue by the National Convention.' Cost confusion Questions surrounding the total cost of the National Dialogue have been made ever more complicated by a recent report in the Sunday Times, which suggested a clash was taking place behind the scenes between President Cyril Ramaphosa and former president Thabo Mbeki, over arrangements for the National Dialogue. In its report, the Sunday Times cited government insiders who claimed that the foundations had proposed an initial R853-million budget for the National Dialogue, which they then 'begrudgingly' lowered to R700-million, after Ramaphosa refused their request. This allegedly then went down further to a budget of R452-million, the publication reported. The Sunday Times article seems to suggest that the total budget for the National Dialogue has been finalised at R452-million. However, this is untrue, with the Presidency confirming the budget hasn't been finalised. In addition, the foundations dispute the claim that they proposed an R853-million budget. Magwenya didn't respond to questions on the matter. CEO of the Steve Biko Foundation Nkosinathi Biko, who was the chairperson of the PTT, and CEO of the Desmond and Leah Tutu Foundation Janet Jobson told Daily Maverick that the figure of R853-million reported by the Sunday Times was, in fact, never put forward among the PTT for consideration. 'I have never heard of a figure of R853-million, and I was chair of that PTT,' said Biko. Jobson told Daily Maverick that the PTT had proposed an initial R76-million for a National Dialogue that was first conceptualised as a digital platform. 'That was for quite a different vision of the Dialogue National; largely as a digital platform and through the process of engaging citizens through technology. But, in discussions, it emerged that we felt it necessary for it to be a face-to-face process, and one that reached every corner of the country,' said Jobson. 'After that, we started the budgeting process for a much more extensive initiative,' she said. The PTT workshopped scenarios and approaches for a face-to-face dialogue, and a request was made to cost the roll-out of that model, which came back at R700-million, according to Jobson. However, she said, R700-million was never a figure considered for approval. A figure of about R450-million was also a proposed scenario that was discussed among the PTT, but again it was never approved, according to Jobson. 'Transparent and accountable' In their joint statement, the foundations called for the National Dialogue to be 'transparent and accountable, with no space for corruption or mismanagement of funds in its process.' Chairperson of Parliament's Standing Committee on Appropriations Mmusi Maimane, in a statement on Monday, expressed 'serious concerns' over the funding and implementation of the National Dialogue, saying he would seek clarification on the funding from the National Treasury. 'While the National Dialogue is vital for our democracy, we are deeply troubled by the absence of a concrete funding strategy. There is no dedicated allocation in the national budget and, in an already constrained fiscal environment, we cannot afford to divert resources from other critical priorities,' said Maimane. He said the funding model had to be sustainable and accountable, and could not place an added burden on taxpayers. Maimane said the committee had written to the National Treasury requesting clarity on the budget vote funding the National Dialogue, and an impact assessment report on programmes that might be affected by diverted funds. In Sunday's statement, Magwenya said that all budgetary processes relating to the National Convention were consistent with the PFMA. He said the costs of the convention were being funded from the existing budgets of the National Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac), 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. All procurement and management of public funds will adhere to the PFMA and applicable Treasury regulations. All funds will be accounted for through the normal public finance mechanisms,' said Magwenya. In response to questions from Daily Maverick about the concerns over transparency and accountability, Magwenya said: 'The National Convention could not be pre-empted. Any finalised budget prior to the National Convention would have been speculative. The National Treasury has made provisions for the National Dialogue, which will be finalised after the Convention. In-kind support or sponsorship has been secured for the Convention and more support will be secured for the Dialogue roll-out. 'Any talk of an absence of a funding strategy is devoid of reality and truth. Public expenditures are reported in Parliament and in budgetary processes. I don't understand what informs concerns about transparency,' he said. DM
India.com
10 hours ago
- Politics
- India.com
India stops newspaper supply to Pakistan High Commission in Delhi, reason is...
New Delhi: Earlier today, on 12 August, we told you that Pakistan has stopped gas supply to the homes of Indian diplomats in Islamabad. Local gas cylinder suppliers have also been instructed not to sell gas cylinders to Indian diplomats. To make matters worse, Islamabad has also stopped the supply of mineral water and newspapers. Why did India stop newspaper supply to the Pakistan High Commission? Following Pakistan's despicable act of stopping gas supply, mineral water and newspapers to the homes of Indian diplomats in Islamabad, India has reportedly stopped the supply of newspapers to the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi. What led India to take this action? Pakistan has stopped gas supply to the homes of Indian diplomats in Islamabad. Apart from this, local gas cylinder suppliers have also been instructed not to sell gas cylinders to Indian diplomats. According to a report by India Today, Islamabad has also stopped the supply of mineral water and newspapers. Pakistan has taken this decision as a retaliatory action after India thrashed Pakistan during Operation Sindoor. Reportedly, Pakistan's intelligence agency, ISI, is behind these acts. When was the last time Pakistan engaged in such mischief? The last time Pakistan indulged in such malicious acts was after India carried out air strikes in response to the Pulwama attack in 2019. That time, too, Pakistani officials had harassed Indian diplomats similarly. At that time, the Indian High Commissioner, Deputy High Commissioner, and other senior officials, including the Naval Advisor, had faced such behaviour. These incidents included constant stalking, interrogation by security personnel, and making fake phone calls. This is a violation of the Vienna Convention by Pakistan Pakistan's decision to stop gas, water and newspapers is a violation of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (1961). According to Article 25 of the Convention, the host country must provide all facilities for the smooth functioning of the diplomatic mission. By deliberately stopping these basic supplies, Pakistan has hindered the work of the mission and the daily life of diplomats. The purpose of the Convention is that diplomats can work without fear and interference. These actions of Pakistan are a direct attempt to create an atmosphere of fear and pressure.
The Star
12 hours ago
- Politics
- The Star
Thailand protests Cambodia's use of anti-personnel mines, citing ceasefire breach and Ottawa Convention violations
BANGKOK: Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday (Aug 12) issued a four-point statement protesting Cambodia's use of anti-personnel mines. It urged the international community to review mine clearance aid to Phnom Penh. The statement reads: 1. On 12 August 2025, in the Chong Chub Ta Mok area in Surin Province, seven soldiers from Thailand's 2610th Paramilitary Company were conducting a routine patrol, but then came upon and stepped on yet another landmine. The Royal Thai Government condemns in the strongest terms the use of anti-personnel mines. Such action is yet another repetition of Cambodia's insincere conduct, and an outright breach of international law, including the principles that are fundamental to the United Nations Charter, as well as a clear violation of the obligations under the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (Ottawa Convention) and international humanitarian law. 2. This incident, when taken together with the previous landmine incident on 9 August 2025, reflects Cambodia's lack of good faith and contravenes the ceasefire agreement finalised by both sides at the Thailand–Cambodia Extraordinary General Border Committee (GBC) Meeting, held on 7 August 2025 in Kuala Lumpur. Thailand therefore must again call on Cambodia to immediately cease these gross violations of the Ottawa Convention. - Photo: The Nation/ANN 3. Thailand is lodging further protests with Cambodia, the President of the Ottawa Convention and the Secretary-General of the United Nations. Thailand is also calling upon the international community, including donor countries and international organisations who provide assistance to Cambodia in mine clearance and mine action efforts, to reconsider their support in light of these repetitive incidents. Thailand will also consider taking other measures of protest as deemed appropriate. 4. Thailand reaffirms its commitment to fully implement the Ottawa Convention and expresses its deep disappointment that Cambodia - having experienced the horrors of genocide and having previously committed itself to mine clearance in compliance with the Convention - has reverted to the inhumane use of such weapons against fellow human beings. Thailand calls on the ASEAN community, a rules-based organisation, to urge Cambodia to strictly abide by international law. Furthermore, Thailand requests that the Interim Observer Team, established pursuant to the decision of the aforementioned GBC Meeting, give due consideration to this matter during its future field visits. This is crucial to ensuring the safety of the border area for innocent civilians of both countries. - The Nation/ANN
India.com
16 hours ago
- Politics
- India.com
Pakistan stoops to new low, stops gas supply to Indian diplomats' homes in Islamabad, instructs local vendors..., water and newspapers...
New Delhi: Pakistan has been an enfant terrible, a bad neighbour for India. Now, it has become a terrible host for Indian diplomats serving in the country. What purpose is Pakistan trying to achieve by these acts? According to the latest reports, Pakistan has stopped gas supply to the homes of Indian diplomats in Islamabad. Apart from this, local gas cylinder suppliers have also been instructed not to sell gas cylinders to Indian diplomats. According to a report by India Today, Islamabad has also stopped the supply of mineral water and newspapers. Pakistan has taken this decision as a retaliatory action after India thrashed Pakistan during Operation Sindoor. Reportedly, Pakistan's intelligence agency, ISI, is behind these acts. When was the last time Pakistan engaged in such mischief? The last time Pakistan indulged in such malicious acts was after India carried out air strikes in response to the Pulwama attack in 2019. That time, too, Pakistani officials had harassed Indian diplomats similarly. At that time, the Indian High Commissioner, Deputy High Commissioner, and other senior officials, including the Naval Advisor, had faced such behaviour. These incidents included constant stalking, interrogation by security personnel, and making fake phone calls. This is a violation of the Vienna Convention by Pakistan Pakistan's decision to stop gas, water and newspapers is a violation of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (1961). According to Article 25 of the Convention, the host country must provide all facilities for the smooth functioning of the diplomatic mission. By deliberately stopping these basic supplies, Pakistan has hindered the work of the mission and the daily life of diplomats. The purpose of the Convention is that diplomats can work without fear and interference. These actions of Pakistan are a direct attempt to create an atmosphere of fear and pressure. Protests outside the Indian High Commission in April After the Pahalgam attack, India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT). In protest of the decision, a crowd of local people created a ruckus outside the Indian High Commission in Islamabad. During this, some people also tried to jump over the gate and enter inside. Anti-India slogans were also raised. Pakistan was accused of deliberately removing security from outside the Indian High Commission.
IOL News
19 hours ago
- Politics
- IOL News
National Dialogue Convention set to proceed amid concerns over costs
The first national convention of the National Dialogue is expected to go ahead on Friday despite growing concerns about the cost of the dialogue. Image: Jairus Mmutle / GCIS The first convention of the National Dialogue is expected to go ahead on Friday despite growing concerns about the cost of the gathering. Intended to launch an extensive public dialogue process aimed at addressing the pressing socio-economic issues faced by citizens, the Convention is not without its detractors. While the National Convention Organising Committee remains optimistic, critics have voiced significant concerns over the financial implications and the efficacy of such discussions amidst a backdrop of unfulfilled promises from previous government initiatives. Political analyst Siyabonga Ntombela from the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) said that South Africa was not a nation in the true sense and meaning of the word. 'We are not even united in our diversity, plus we do not even have a unique identity that unifies us. Instead, we use race and classism to further divide us. Major corruption under a black government has made this cleavage even worse,' Ntombela said. 'Therefore, there is nothing new and unknown that will come out of this National Dialogue. People have spoken loud and clear as to what the government ought to do to create a prosperous South Africa. it will have a huge fiscal impact but nothing meaningful or transformational.' According to a statement released on Monday by the Organising Committee, the first National Convention is tasked with several objectives: it will kickstart the process of engaging communities across the nation, identify key themes for discussion, and establish a Steering Committee to oversee future dialogue. A total of 1 000 delegates, representing more than 30 sectors and over 200 organisations, have been invited to attend; however, only 755 have confirmed participation as of yesterday. As citizens prepare for a gathering that hopes to ignite meaningful conversations about the country's future, reactions from political analysts, economists, and trade union representatives reveal a spectrum of opinions about the initiative's potential. Senior political science lecturer at the UKZN, Zakhele Ndlovu, remains sceptical. 'It is going to be another talk shop. Look at commissions of inquiry, their recommendations are never implemented. South Africans elect representatives to take the country in the right direction,' Ndlovu said. 'Actually, it is a distraction because we are now busy talking about it instead of holding our leaders accountable. In every election, South Africans continue to let their representatives get away with moving the country in the wrong direction.' In contrast, Unisa economist Dr Eliphas Ndou contended that the dialogue offers an essential opportunity for citizens to shape policy. He believes that meaningful contributions could foster a prosperous future for all South Africans, provided that outcomes are translated into actionable reforms. 'The outcomes from the dialogue could result in formulation of policies that result in a prosperous future for all the South African people.' The Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) has expressed its support for the National Dialogue, citing the dire socio-economic challenges facing the working class. Cosatu's Parliamentary Coordinator Matthew Parks emphasised the necessity of mobilising society to address these issues and urges that any administrative hurdles should not delay the dialogue's progression. 'Whilst the Federation appreciates legitimate concerns outlined by the Legacy Foundations and other organisations, these can and must be addressed and the Dialogue proceeds as intended. If we wait for all issues; be it logistics, organisational or philosophical, to be resolved, we may find that time will simply run out,' he said. Parks added that Cosatu will participate in the Dialogue as the many deep-seated socio-economic challenges facing the working class, the economy and the state, are such that they require the mobilisation of the entirety of society, including business to resolve
