Latest news with #DesmondandLeahTutuFoundation
eNCA
6 hours ago
- Politics
- eNCA
Transparency and costs spark debate
JOHANNESBURG - President Cyril Ramaphosa is determined to push ahead with the National Dialogue but the backlash is anything but quiet. READ: How will National Dialogue will be financed? From questions about transparency to the hefty price tag, they're all raising eyebrows. Critics have slammed the initiative from every angle. The DA, which is part of the government of national unity, jumped ship over the matter, along with several major legacy foundations. The Desmond and Leah Tutu Foundation CEO Janet Jobson, discussed the reception to the dialogue with eNCA.
The South African
2 days ago
- Politics
- The South African
Thabo Mbeki reveals why foundation withdrew from National Dialogue
Former president Thabo Mbeki has disclosed key reasons for his foundation's withdrawal from the National Dialogue, a government-led initiative to unite South Africans in addressing national challenges. He said uncertainty over the R700 million budget allocated for the dialogue was a central factor in the decision. The Thabo Mbeki Foundation, along with the Steve Biko Foundation, the Desmond and Leah Tutu Foundation, and the FW de Klerk Foundation, have withdrawn from the National Dialogue Convention set to begin on Friday, 15 August. Their withdrawal casts doubt on whether the organisers of the intended inclusive, citizen-driven dialogue are acting with integrity and are properly prepared. Mbeki accused the organisers of not being transparent about how they would use the funds. 'We feel the organisers were not entirely honest about where they will direct the funds.' 'They have violated the core principles meant to underpin the National Dialogue in their rush to host a gathering on August 15,' he said. In a joint statement, the foundations cited a rushed timeline. Arguing that it had reduced the convention to a symbolic milestone rather than a meaningful start to a national process. They also highlighted the absence of an approved budget allocation, which they said had hindered proper preparation. Internal disagreements within the Preparatory Task Team over governance and the direction of the dialogue further complicated matters. To ensure that the process retains substance, the foundations have proposed rescheduling the convention to after 15 October 2025, allowing ample time for proper coordination and engagement. 'Deadlines cannot override substance,' they emphasised. 'Dialogue cannot be built on haste.' Despite the legacy foundations stepping back, President Cyril Ramaphosa has confirmed that the first national convention will proceed as scheduled. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
2 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Thabo Mbeki gives reasons why his foundation withdrew from the National Dialogue
The withdrawal of Mbeki's foundation and others underscores significant concerns regarding transparency and preparation for the National Dialogue, raising vital questions about leadership and accountability in South Africa's pursuit of a cohesive national vision. Image: Picture: Armand Hough/Independent Former President Thabo Mbeki has revealed critical reasons behind his foundation's withdrawal from the National Dialogue, a government-led initiative aimed at uniting South Africans to tackle pressing national issues. Central to Mbeki's decision is the uncertainty surrounding the R700 million budget allocated for the dialogue. Mbeki's foundation, along with other notable legacy foundations, including the Steve Biko Foundation, the Desmond and Leah Tutu Foundation, and the FW de Klerk Foundation, officially withdrew from the National Dialogue Convention scheduled to commence this Friday. Their withdrawal raises serious questions about the integrity and preparation involved in what is meant to be an inclusive and citizen-driven dialogue. "We feel the organisation of the matter was not entirely honest as to where the funds will be directed," Mbeki stated. "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 released a joint statement outlining several issues that contributed to their decision, including a rushed timeline that has turned the convention into a mere performative milestone rather than a meaningful launch of a comprehensive national process. They expressed deep concern over the lack of a confirmed, approved budget allocation, which has hindered any sound preparation. Significant disagreements within the Preparatory Task Team further complicated the situation, particularly regarding governance and the overall direction of the dialogue. 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 ✕ To ensure that the process retains substance, the foundations have proposed rescheduling the convention to after October 15, 2025, allowing ample time for proper coordination and engagement. "Deadlines cannot override substance," they emphasised. "Dialogue cannot be built on haste." The withdrawal also reflects underlying tensions, particularly concerning the inclusion of controversial Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Prof Tinyiko Maluleke. His leadership has been embroiled in controversy, notably regarding accusations of misappropriating the concept of a promised campus for Sekhukhune youth, which has left many young people without access to higher education opportunities. Despite the legacy foundations stepping back from the initiative, President Cyril Ramaphosa has confirmed that the first national convention will proceed as scheduled. The Presidency has distanced itself from the contentious R700 million budget, asserting that all budgetary processes align with the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA). It also highlighted that the Inter-Ministerial Committee is actively working to mobilise resources for the dialogue while managing costs. "UNISA has offered to host the first National Convention and provide associated goods and services free of charge," the Presidency stated. "Venues and logistical support are being secured without the R700 million burden." The costs associated with this inaugural convention are reportedly being funded through existing budgets allocated to NEDLAC and the Presidency, which are set to be reimbursed in the Adjustments Budget later this year. IOL
IOL News
2 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Concerns over R700 million budget led to Mbeki's withdrawal from National Dialogue
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 shed light on the reasons behind his foundation's withdrawal from the National Dialogue, a government-led initiative aimed at bringing South Africans together to discuss the country's biggest problems. According to Mbeki, one of the primary reasons for the withdrawal was the uncertainty surrounding the R700 million earmarked 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. "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 15 August." In a joint statement, the foundations highlighted several issues, including a rushed timeline saying that the convention's constrained logistics have turned it into a performative milestone rather than a meaningful launch of a national process. 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, 2025, to allow for adequate preparation, coherence, and participatory integrity. "Deadlines cannot override substance," they emphasised. "Dialogue cannot be built on haste." A senior government official said another reason for the withdrawal of the former president and the foundations was the inclusion of controversial Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Prof Tinyiko Maluleke. Maluleke is at the heart of a TUT controversy, facing accusations of appropriating the concept of a Sekhukhune campus in Limpopo. This alleged theft led to the construction of a campus in Giyani instead, leaving hundreds of Sekhukhune youth without the promised university. On July 16, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced his appointment as co-chair of the National Dialogue Eminent Persons Group (EPG). 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,' 'While Cosatu understands that this proposal stems from a few government officials and others, it is incredibly imprudent and insensitive given the public's frustrations, especially those of the working class. This group has endured severe austerity cuts to essential services like health, education, policing, and home affairs. They have been forced to make sacrifices while struggling with the increasing cost of living in a fragile economy burdened by extreme unemployment, poverty, and inequality,' Cosatu said in a statement. 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 on Sunday. The Presidency said there was a call for collaboration with other stakeholders to reduce the costs of the National Dialogue. 'UNISA has offered to host the first National Convention and provide associated goods and services free of charge, as it stands, venues have been secured for the plenary, two overflow venues with livestreaming , 10 breakaway venues, dining area and work areas,' the statement read. 'In addition, UNISA is providing facilities for an Operations Centre, which has been running over the past week, catering, ushers, AV services, printing of discussion documents, signage, conference bags, notepads, pens and WiFi.' The statement added that the costs of the first convention were being funded from the existing budgets of NEDLAC and the Presidency for secretariat support, communications and logistics and that 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. [email protected]
Daily Maverick
4 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Maverick
‘Dialogue cannot be built on haste' — Key organisations withdraw from National Convention
Organisations, including the Thabo Mbeki Foundation and Desmond and Leah Tutu Foundation, cited a litany of concerns such as the rushed timeline, inadequate preparation, disagreements within the Preparatory Task Team and 'government control' as the reason for their withdrawal from the precursor to the National Dialogue. A week before the start of the National Convention, which is expected to set the agenda for the broader National Dialogue, key organisations behind the initiative have withdrawn, citing concerns over 'cutting corners', 'centralising power' and a rush to host the gathering on 15 August. 'It is with deep regret, but with unwavering conviction, that we have resolved to withdraw our participation from the structures of the Preparatory Task Team [PTT] and the First National Convention of the National Dialogue scheduled for 15 August 2025. '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 15 August. 'We do so not out of apathy or disengagement, but because we remain committed to the belief that all aspects of the National Dialogue must be credible, principled and anchored in public trust,' the non-profit groups said in a joint statement on Friday, 8 August. The organisations include the Steve Biko Foundation, Thabo Mbeki Foundation, the Chief Albert Luthuli Foundation, the Desmond and Leah Tutu Foundation, the FW de Klerk Foundation, the Oliver and Adelaide Tambo Foundation and the Strategic Dialogue Group. They said that prior to making their announcement, they had informed both President Cyril Ramaphosa and the Eminent Persons Group of their position. Statement From the Foundations on the National Dialogue 8 Aug 2025 by on Scribd The groups said their decision to withdraw from participating in the PTT, and the First National Convention on 15 August, does not represent a withdrawal from the National Dialogue process itself. 'We remain committed to the principles under which we have been working – to its vision and its urgent necessity,' they stated. Ramaphosa announced the first National Convention in early June this year. A National Dialogue PTT was set up and began mobilising civil society and establishing various working committees. A second National Convention is planned for 2026, which will consolidate the proposals from the various engagements into a national vision and implementation programme, Daily Maverick reported. The initiative – meant to tackle a wide range of South Africa's pressing issues including unemployment, poor governance and gender-based violence – was met with immediate opposition, owing largely to its R740-million price tag, a figure the Presidency disputed. In June, Government of National Unity (GNU) partner, the DA, announced it would not participate in the National Dialogue following the axeing of party member Andrew Whitfield as deputy minister of trade and industry. Last month, former president Thabo Mbeki – whose organisation was among those that have withdrawn – warned that the National Dialogue process risked being meaningless, without capable leadership. 'Sake of expediency' The organisations, in their statement, have proposed that the National Convention be rescheduled to after 15 October, to allow for 'adequate preparation, coherence and participatory integrity'. Daily Maverick understands that the feeling among those in the organisations involved in the process is that the 15 August gathering would not constitute a meaningful engagement because there has not been adequate preparation. According to a source who spoke to Daily Maverick about the background to the issue, the groups are concerned that this will be a 'performative gathering' because the Presidency is set on the 15 August date. The source said concerns over the lack of critical resourcing, operations and systems had been flagged with the Presidency in the weeks leading up to the National Convention. However, the pursuit of the 15 August date appeared to override these concerns. 'We can't have the convention in its current form go ahead in our names, but if things change, we would support the endeavour of the National Dialogue. But it must be meaningful, citizen-led and build a platform that is transformative for the country,' the source said. The groups, in their statement, cautioned that the National Dialogue 'cannot be built on haste'. 'Deadlines cannot override substance,' they 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 15 August. In their statement, the groups listed a series of reasons for their withdrawal from the PTT and the National Convention, including, what they called, the 'erosion of citizen leadership'. 'What began as a citizen-led initiative has unfortunately in practice shifted towards government control. In pushing forward for a convention on 15 August at the will of government officials and against the advice of the sub-committee chairs, we believe that a critical moment in which citizens should be leading will be undermined. The principles and important nature of being a citizen-led process are being sacrificed for the sake of expediency,' read the statement. They said that the 'rushed timeline, constrained logistics and limited interactive design' meant that the convention no longer offers a platform for meaningful engagement. 'The structure risks becoming symbolic rather than substantive – more performance than participation. We cannot lend our names to a gathering that does not allow for genuine dialogue. Furthermore, the National Convention was envisaged as a kick-off event for the real heart of the National Dialogue – community, sectoral and citizen-led engagement. As yet, there is no agreed plan for the roll-out of the real Dialogue, and as such the National Convention is premature,' they added. 'Strategic misalignment within the PTT' According to the groups, the 'continued absence of a confirmed, approved budget allocation and a last-minute commitment of initial funds' has made adequate preparation for the gathering 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),' they said. They added that there were 'deep disagreements' within the PTT over the nature of the National Dialogue, readiness, governance and risks. 'Without shared clarity and alignment at the core of the process, moving ahead would be destabilising to the national effort. Unfortunately, this strategic misalignment revolves around the move away from a citizen-led National Dialogue to a government-led process,' the organisations said.
